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Dangerous Crossings

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Posted 8:25 PM 10/30/2012 : Spike in number of pedestrians hit on streets of Tucson

Tucson- Dangerous times on Tucson's streets with a recent rash of people being hit by cars. While the numbers for the year are actually down, the average number of incidents is way up.

According to Tucson Police, Tucson has an average of 20 accidents a month involving pedestrians.

But Tucson Fire reports that over the last 30 days, the department has responded to 39 calls with pedestrians struck.

Tucson Fire Captain Barrett Baker says when a human being comes in to contact with a moving vehicle the end result is often tragic.

"You don't have to have a degree in physics to understand that if I weigh 190 pounds and a car weighs two thousand pounds", Baker said. "If something does happen, I am going to be the one that loses that one."

Tucson Fire says that many of the incidents happen because the people who are hit don't cross at a designated crosswalk, sometimes when it is only yards away.

Besides crossing at a clearly marked cross walk, Capt. Baker says when it comes to walking near traffic there are two other rules you should follow.

"Make sure that you are seen, wear the proper type of clothing, especially at night. Get eye contact with people, don't assume that they see you," said Baker. "And hurry, it is not a good place to be, not a time for a leisurely stroll or a picnic. Go quickly from A to B and get out of that danger zone."

Electronics have also been part of the cause in some of these accidents, with people being distracted by texting or listening to music and not hearing an approaching vehicle.

As of October 27th, 187 pedestrians have been hit on the streets of Tucson.

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