CAN CHICAGO REALLY BECOME A MORE "PEDESTRIAN-FRIENDLY CITY"?
This week, Chicago began its work on the Chicago Pedestrian Plan, what is touted to be the city's "first-ever comprehensive pedestrian plan." According to Jon Hilkevitch's Pedestrian Plan: City strives to be more pedestrian-friendly city, the Plan's
[p]ossibilities include pedestrian countdown timers at crosswalks that are becoming more prevalent citywide; curb bump-outs that improve safety by shortening the distance of crosswalks; and median islands that provide a safe place for pedestrians who find themselves in the middle of a crossing when traffic signals change.
"More than 3,000 vehicle crashes involving pedestrians — causing 34 pedestrian deaths — occurred in 2009 in Chicago, the most recent year data are available," wrote Hilkevitch. Chicago has a proportionally higher percentage of pedestrian fatalities due to hit-and-runs. (40 percent locally in contrast to 20 percent nationally).
Chicago is a vibrant city of approximately 2.7 million residents. It makes sense that pedestrians, like bicyclists, are likely to become severely injured if hit by a motorist. It is encouraging that the City of Chicago recognizes that pedestrian walkways need to be re-designed for their safety.
The attorneys at the Law Offices of Jeffrey J. Kroll contributed significantly to the 2011 Supplement to the Compendium "Proving Fault in Auto Accident Cases" published by the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education. Jeff Kroll was the General Editor of the Compendium and also published three of its chapters, including one entitled Pedestrian v. Motorist: Can't we all just get along?, which presents an overview of statutory and common-law principles applicable to pedestrian personal injury lawsuits in Illinois. Jeff Kroll and his associates have represented numerous bicyclists and pedestrians that have been injured due to negligent motorists.
