There was an increase by 63% in accidents on pedestrian crossings in 2001, when new traffic code gave more priorities to pedestrians on pedestrian crossings, comparing to 1999 in the Czech Republic. 57 pedestrians were killed and 387 seriously injured on pedestrian crossings in 2001. In 2001 there was also a decrease in 85 percentile speed in urban areas, but it is necessary to mention that difference between 85 percentile speed and maximal speed is still increasing. This disproportion in traffic flow often results in conflict situations when isolated speeding vehicles endanger all other road users. The accidents with high speed are always catastrophic for pedestrians. The most frequent types of accidents on pedestrian crossings influenced by speeding are conflicts with pedestrians while driving straight on at crossroads. The main condition for a decrease in the number of accidents is a decrease in vehicle speeds. The following measures can decrease speed: traffic islands; local carriageway narrowing; decrease of number of lanes; road humps; police enforcement; and education. For the covering abstract see ITRD E123193.
Abstract