Road safety is a primary concern in Cleveland and across Ohio. Since statistics show that there has been a marked increase in auto accidents in the past several years and 2021 was the worst for fatal crashes in almost 20 years, strategies are being crafted to make the roads safer. A part of the ongoing research and analysis is identifying roads in Northeast Ohio where there have been a worrisome number of accidents. Several of them are in Cleveland. People who take to the road in these areas should be aware of the potential danger. When there is a collision with injuries and loss of life, they should also know what steps they have available to them for the aftermath.
Safety initiatives planned to avoid auto accidents
To address road safety, the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) is creating a plan called SAVE. The objective is lofty and hopes to lower injuries and fatalities in auto crashes by half within the next two decades. Some of the factors it seeks to address are impairment, distracted drivers, elderly drivers, pedestrians, motorcyclists, bicyclists and age-related driving issues. The past decade was analyzed to determine where the areas of concern were. There were nearly 6,900 serious injuries and deaths in auto crashes from 2013 to 2017 on the areas NOACA focused on. In that time, 131 people died and there were 1,245 injuries that were categorized as serious.
Experts want to implement new street designs to augment safety. Known as Complete Streets, this could benefit everyone who uses the road and emphasize accident avoidance. With Complete Streets, drivers reduce speed and pay greater attention. These are two common causes of collisions. Also, sidewalk improvement helps pedestrians; bike lanes make it easier for riders; and public transportation has a clearer path. NOACA covers five areas including Cuyahoga. In these areas, there were more than 50,000 accidents in 2019 alone. Fatalities and injuries saw an uptick.
Understanding research and trends can be key after an auto accident
One of the most common ways in which people suffer unexpected injuries and loss of life is in motor vehicle accidents. These studies and plans are positive developments and might succeed in educating drivers and preventing accidents. Still, it is a sad reality that these problems will continue no matter how vigilant safety advocates, legislators and law enforcement are. People whose lives have been upended by an accident should know how comprehensive and attentive advice can make a major difference in helping them. This can include covering medical costs, lost income, long-term care and more. Discussing the case with experienced people who understand how difficult injuries and fatal accidents can be is important from the beginning.