Last week, the Kern County Committee on Public Transportation met to discuss ways to improve safety for pedestrians in the Bakersfield area. The meeting focused on specific areas in Oildale and East Bakersfield which have experienced large numbers of pedestrian accidents in recent years.
This push for greater pedestrian safety is largely due to the number of pedestrians who have died in car accidents over the past few years. Since 2013, the following pedestrian fatality figures have been recorded by the Bakersfield Police Department (BPD) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP):
- 2013 — 9 fatal pedestrian accidents (BPD); 18 fatal pedestrian accidents (CHP)
- 2014 — 10 fatalities (BPD); 6 fatalities (CHP)
- 2015 — 4 fatalities (BPD); 3 fatalities (CHP)
The Bakersfield City Council discussed two main initiatives to address this issue. The first is a plan called “Vision Zero” that has been implemented in other areas across the country. This program focuses its efforts on specific areas that have experienced a high number of pedestrian-related car accidents in the past. Through careful analysis of these accidents, the committee will strive to pinpoint the improvements that need to be made in order to reduce pedestrian fatalities in these areas to zero.
In addition, the committee plans to provide educational programs to young children throughout the Bakersfield area that teach them how to safely navigate traffic and walk across the street. The committee believes this raised awareness is important in light of the fact that the pedestrian is often found to be at fault in these fatal car accidents.
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian-related car accident caused by the negligence of another driver, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your damages. Mickey Fine has been fighting for the rights of injured pedestrians for more than 25 years, and he can help you hold the negligent driver accountable for your damages.
Please contact the Law Offices of Mickey Fine using the form at the right side of the page or call (661) 333-3333 today to schedule your free consultation. Mr. Fine serves clients in the Bakersfield, California area.