City Study: Watch Where You Walk

Study finds most pedestrian accidents occur in crosswalks when pedestrian has right of way

Be careful where you walk.

It's a good mantra to follow judging by a new city study that found most pedestrian accidents occur in crosswalks, even when the pedestrian has the right of way, according to the Chicago Tribune.

But for Chicago residents used to walking the city's streets, it's not that surprising.

"I don't trust the cars. I always look both ways and wait, even after the light changes," says Jane Austin, who lives and works in the city and walks everywhere she goes. "The taxi, or the car will win that fight."

The study shows that around 80 percent of the accidents that occur in the crosswalk zone, happened when the pedestrian had the right of way.

Around 18,000 pedestrians were involved in similar accidents from 2005 to 2009, with the greatest percentage involving teens between 15 to 18.

Hot spots include the 79th Street corridor.

The study's findings will prompt increased police enforcement of drivers failing to yield and more traffic safety technology, according to the Tribune.

Despite the high numbers, pedestrian fatalities are actually down in Chicago.

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