Safety Improvements Implemented at Nashville’s “Most Dangerous Intersection”
Nashville Pedestrian Accidents
According to the Tennessee Department of Homeland Security, there were nearly 300 pedestrians involved in accidents in Davidson County last year. Worse yet, 2017 was the deadliest year for pedestrians in Nashville history, with nearly two dozen individuals killed on Music City’s roads.
Nashville’s population is growing fast. In turn, traffic congestion is on the rise, hence the increase in the number of pedestrian deaths and injuries.
But in a bit of good news, last month the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) completed a series of safety improvements at the intersection of Nolensville Pike and Welshwood Drive in south Nashville.
NewsChannel5 reports that TDOT “installed a temporary crossing, pedestrian signs and medians, and a button to flash lights and alert drivers. In addition there are [now] separate lanes for buses to pick up passengers from both sides of the road.”
Those improvements are expected to make a measurable difference in pedestrian safety at the intersection, which Walk Bike Nashville (WBN)—a non-profit organization that is working to “build a more walkable, bikeable, and livable Nashville”—regards as one of the most dangerous in the city.
According to WBN, there have been at least seven deaths in the past seven years in the vicinity of that intersection, which is near Harding Place.
Meanwhile, Walk Bike Nashville is continuing to work in conjunction with TDOT to identify other dangerous intersections in the city, while continuing to raise awareness about pedestrian safety issues via its Look For Me campaign.
For instance, nashvillelookforme.com highlights how “73 percent of all pedestrian fatalities occur at night” and that almost two-thirds of all pedestrian fatalities occur on city streets of four lanes or more.
Other Dangerous Nashville Intersections
As a personal injury law firm, Raybin & Weissman works tirelessly to get car accident victims the compensation they deserve, including compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. But holding drivers and other offenders accountable for their negligence also advances one of our firm’s secondary goals, which is to improve public safety so that fewer accidents occur in the future.
In the recent past, we have highlighted needed improvements at Davidson County’s 15 Most Dangerous Intersections, some of which have been completed—like those at Old Hickory Boulevard and Cedarmont Drive—and others that still call for the city’s attention.
While every intersection is unique, adding sidewalks and pedestrian crossings—not to mention pedestrian signals and countdown signals—have been effective at improving safety.
Other common improvements include replacing traffic signals and coordinating signal timing, adding additional turn lanes, adding corner curb ramps, and restriping intersections.
Pedestrian Safety Tips
While the city’s efforts play a key role in improving pedestrian safety, there’s much that individuals can do to avoid becoming accident victims. For instance:
- Don’t jaywalk; always cross at designated crosswalks
- Make sure drivers acknowledge you with a wave or eye contact before entering a crosswalk
- Try to avoid crossing busy streets that have multiple lanes running in each direction
- Don’t wear headphones or earbuds while walking
- Don’t text and walk
- Wear bright clothing, especially if you’re walking or running at dawn, dusk, or at night
- Carry identification, as well as a smartphone
It’s also helpful to review our tips on What to Do if You Are the Victim of a Pedestrian Accident. Among the most important steps you can take in the wake of accident are to:
- Call the police, so responding officers investigate the incident and file a police report.
- Go to the hospital or visit a doctor, even if you don’t feel like you’ve been seriously injured. When you’re hit by a car or truck you experience a burst of adrenaline and often go into shock, which can mask serious injuries that reveal themselves later.
- After your medical exam, contact an experienced attorney that can provide sound legal advice.
At Raybin & Weissman, we offer a free, no obligation consultation. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at 615.256.6666. We will fight to get you the justice you deserve!