Does Poor Road Design Contribute to Pedestrian Injuries in L.A.?

Pedestrian accidents are far too common on Los Angeles roadways. Many of these accidents are caused by the actions of drivers, but sometimes, they are the result of poor road design. But does poor road design contribute to pedestrian injuries in L.A.?

In 2017, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) analyzed roads, bridges, and infrastructure in cities across the United States. California was graded a “D” for road conditions. The problems noted included:

•         Congestion, delays, and auto accidents are “increasingly caused” by poor road design and conditions.
•         Unsafe roads in California cost $61 billion each year.
•         To improve safety, California roads must be repaired and improved.
•         The cost of increasing the safety and quality of roads is estimated to be $200 billion.
•         California has more bridges in “poor” condition than any other state.

In a similar analysis, U.S. News and World Report ranked California 41st out of all 50 states for the worst poor road design and quality. This analysis suggests that L.A. has numerous road design and quality problems.

Poor Road Design Endangering Pedestrians

Poor road design is a contributing factor in pedestrian accidents. Some problems that are known in L.A. include:

•         Inadequate lighting
•         Lack of traffic signals
•         Lack of pedestrian crosswalks
•         Lack of intersection warning signals
•         Potholes
•         Uneven surfaces
•         Lack of sidewalks
•         Missing signs

When you factor in poor road design and quality with factors like speeding, drunk driving and distracted driving, it is no wonder that pedestrian accident rates are on the rise. Unfortunately, several roads in L.A. are in desperate need to repair or redesign in order to protect pedestrians. L.A. has a handful of particularly dangerous roadways for pedestrians, including Manchester Avenue.

In 2017, 246 pedestrians died on L.A. roadways, a decline of 1.63% over the previous year. Some believe that the decline, although slight, is due to improvements and upgrades to 40 streets in L.A. Efforts are being made to add sidewalks, paint crosswalks and install posts and signs at intersections.