Woman Critically Injured in Automotive Pedestrian Accident - Poor Lighting and No Lines on Crosswalk Seems to be the Cause

A Florida woman was critically injured when she was struck by a car while walking across an intersection last night at about 11:30 p.m. The incident occurred at poorly lit intersection near 7200 South and 50 West. To make matters worse, it was reported by the Salt Lake Tribune that there were no white crosswalk lines painted on the street. The driver of an eastbound car told investigators she did not see the woman on the darkened street in time to stop.

Police have initially called the collision an accident and no citations were issued. The driver appeared to have been following the speed limit and there was no determination of alcohol being involved.

Midvale police Sgt. Marcello Rapello said authorities are trying to contact the family of the 30-year-old woman was whose identity has not yet been released. The victim's condition is critical but stable at Intermountain Medical Center.

In recent years there has been a fair amount of crosswalk safety awareness that has taken place. However, most of these efforts have been focused in the downtown area. In my opinion, city and county safety administrators need to step up and take necessary actions to increase the safety of crosswalks. This includes supplying florescent flags for pedestrians to carry, painting a crosswalk sign on the street, and making certain that all areas of pedestrian traffic are properly lit at night. This standard of safety must be applied to all crosswalks in Utah.