jerryc41 wrote:
Someone from a drivers' organization is in favor of keeping the law because he said that those deaths amount to only 1% of traffic deaths.
[i/]From 2010 to 2021, pedestrian deaths increased from 4,302 to 7,624, a 77 percent rise, according to the federal data. Jun 27, 2023[/i] 1% of 7,624 = 76 dead people. That's not so bad, right?
It might be bad if you or a loved one were one of the 76.
And it may depend on the denominator - if it's 1% of all traffic fatalities, it'll be closer to 5,000 per year.
And what's in the numerator? If we look only at pedestrian deaths at "right turn allowed on red light" intersections who were crossing on a green (or "walk") light, how many deaths? Half of the 7,624? 10%?
And have deaths at "right turn allowed on red light" intersections risen faster or slower that all pedestrian deaths?
I wonder if those responsible for pedestrian fatalities at "right turn allowed on red light" intersections would drive more safely if the law were changed? Or if pedestrians would be less careful if they were more confident a driver would not blow through the red light and run them down?