Pedestrian deaths and safety that may slow it
🚶🏻Pedestrian deaths and safety that may slow it.
Pedestrian deaths in the United States have been on the rise for the past decade, reaching a 40-year high of over 7,500 fatalities last year. The increase is attributed to two main factors: larger vehicles on the roads and the growing number of people living in areas with dangerous road conditions. The trend of bigger cars, particularly SUVs and pickups, has made roads more perilous for pedestrians, cyclists, and those driving smaller vehicles. Additionally, the lack of interest from the federal government in addressing the issue has hindered efforts to improve pedestrian safety. European and Japanese countries have seen a decline in pedestrian fatalities due to factors such as narrow roads, low-speed limits, expansive public transit, and vehicle testing and rating for pedestrian safety. However, the U.S. has failed to implement similar measures, leading to a persistent rise in pedestrian deaths.
A fire at the BioLab chemical plant in Conyers, Georgia, on Sunday caused major disruptions and evacuations after a sprinkler malfunction led to the release of a large chemical plume.