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| 1989 Honda Accord hit a pedestrian in Baltimore, MD |
For example, take the Honda Accord, one of the most popular cars in the country for the last 25 years.
As shown in the picture, a 1989 Honda Accord hit a college student who was trying to cross a street in Baltimore, Maryland. The collision occurred in 1997. Fortunately, the college student survived the impact with only broken bones while the Accord sustained a shattered windshield.
Back then, a 1989 Honda Accord weighed at or less than 2,600 pounds. In those days, mid-size family cars were much smaller and featherweights. Today, a 2011 Honda Accord is a goliath in comparison with its classification as a full-size sedan, tipping the scales at a whopping 3,600 pounds. However, keep in mind that many families have switched from mid-size cars to more versatile SUVs and crossover vehicles, which typically weigh an average of 4,000 pounds to 5,000 pounds.
The additional girth of today's Honda Accord and all other new vehicles are reflected in their much stiffer and stronger body structures with multiple airbags, stability control, front and rear crumple zones, side-impact beams, thicker padding, powerful brakes, navigation systems, optional all-wheel-drive, etc. That's great for drivers and their passengers. They have an excellent chance of surviving almost any crash imaginable thanks to the safety improvements.
Unfortunately, for pedestrians and bicyclists, they have no protection while out traveling on the road. So it is important that State and County DOTs provide separate and dedicated sidewalks and bike paths on every road to allow children, teenagers, young adults, senior adults, and those with disabilities to walk and bike safely to their destinations.
Ensuring the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists will also improve road safety for drivers as well. Everyone benefits!
Agree or disagree. I welcome your opinion. Please leave comments below or e-mail me at norbeckroad@gmail.com
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Early morning sprint
"Cpl. Brian Kelly, of the Towson precinct traffic team, left, and officer Gary Jacque investigate the scene of a pedestrian accident at Osler Drive at the Towson Center and Center for the Arts crosswalk Wednesday morning. A man driving a Honda Accord hit a female student as she crossed the street. The student suffered minor injuries was taken to Sinai Hospital."Ever since our faculty parking spots were revoked, I've been forced to get to school early to find parking in the student lots. This means I am in the office from 9a.m. until class, which on average is noon. I do nothing more than waste time.
Well, all my time sitting in the office isn't unproductive. Usually my time sitting behind my desk consists of responding to numerous e-mails, editing other photographers assignments and doing homework.
This morning was different.
Not much happens news wise around campus. So when spot news comes up, I love it.
As I sat in the office 35 minutes before class, I get a call. "Pedestrian accident up the street." The call was promptly followed by my editor in chief running in the room telling me about the situation at hand.
The accident was approximately a half mile away. So with no where to park if I left, I grabbed my 70-200 and sprinted over. Of course, I was too late and was unable to get any sort of reaction shots or anyone showing emotion. I had just missed the girl being taken away according to a eye witness, too.
I think this image works though. Better than nothing, right?
This was the best accident situation I've been on to date. Not one word mentioned to me for shooting, and the police officers were helpful and friendly. I appreciate that more than one would think.
From what I gathered, it seems the student hit will be OK.
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| 1985 Honda Accord hit a pedestrian in Baltimore, MD |
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