SACRAMENTO —
Driver and walkers have to share the road. But when that doesn’t happen fairly, pedestrians suffer the most.
Friday afternoon Roseville kids swarmed an ambulance crew Friday, hoping for word about their 12-year-old friend Nick.
He was hit by a car while crossing the intersection at Pleasant Grove at Woodcreek Oaks.
“He said he didn’t care about waiting. He didn’t want to wait so he said ‘I’ll just go’ and he started running. He kind of dodged the first car that came but a second car was coming round and hit him,” said Nick’s friend Jack Erskine.
Nick suffered only moderate injuries, according to police The driver who hit him wasn’t arrested because Nick was crossing against the light.
It’s the kind of scary scenario that happens over and over again all over the region.
One scene on Sacramento’s Arden Way seemed like a tragedy in the making Friday.
A man pushing a grocery cary was determined to cross Arden during rush hour without the benefit of a cross walk or a traffic signal.
“It’s just one of those things that makes your stomach turn when you hear ‘respond to a vehicle versus pedestrian.’ It’s a horrible thing,” said Sgt. Michelle Gigante with the Sacramento Police Department.
According to the latest figures available, it’s the kind of situation that ended in 163 serious injuries or deaths in the capitol city in 2012.
Though the state’s Office of Traffic Safety still lists Sacramento as the fifth best city at handling this problem–out of 13 ranked–police are taking steps to help all pedestrians make safer steps.
They’re approaching pedestrians along J street between 10th and 28th with information.
It’s not an more accident-prone area, just one prone to more foot traffic.
The department’s new education campaign called ‘Wait for the Walk’ will warn those enjoying downtown hot spots to be more mindful behind the wheel and more aware on foot.
“Especially when you’re having a good time. You know your car is right there. It’s still safer to walk down to the corner. Use the cross walk and then everybody gets home safe,” said Gigante.
If you have to walk in an area that doesn’t have sidewalks, police say the safest plan is to walk facing traffic.
Wherever you are, they also encourage you to limit distractions so you can heard and see approaching dangers.
One of the biggest distractions?
Earbuds.
