A
5200 Harry Hines Blvd.
,
Dallas
,
TX
75235
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- Main Retail Café: Mon - Sun | 6:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- Starbucks Café: WISH Building | Mon - Fri | 5:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- Park Market Café: Mon - Fri | 6:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. | 8 p.m. - 4 a.m. | Sat -Sun | 7 p.m. - 4 a.m.
- Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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- Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Monday - Friday: 6 a.m. - 11 p.m.
- Saturday: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday: Closed
- Holiday hours may be different
Posted: 11/4/2015
Pedestrian deaths increase during colder months
The days of blistering heat may be a distant memory but as cooler weather sets in and hours of endless sunshine have given way to darkness, Parkland Health & Hospital System physicians say it’s even more important to be vigilant about your safety, especially if you are walking or jogging at night.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Center for Statistics and Analysis reported that in 2013 there were 4,732 pedestrians killed and an estimated 66,000 injured in traffic crashes in the United States. On average in the U.S., a pedestrian was killed every two hours and injured every eight minutes in traffic crashes. In Texas, of the 3,382 traffic fatalities in 2013, 480 or 14.2 percent were pedestrians. Locally, 38 of the 141 traffic fatalities were pedestrians.
During the winter months – December, January and February – 34 percent of the pedestrian fatalities occurred from 6 to 8:59 p.m., followed by 16 percent from 9 to 11:59 p.m., and 13 percent from 3 to 5:59 p.m.
“The statistics bear out that a majority of pedestrians are injured during that dusk-to-dark timeframe,” said Alexander Eastman, MD, Medical Director and Chief of the Rees-Jones Trauma Center at Parkland Memorial Hospital and Assistant Professor of Surgery at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. “It’s when motorists are getting off work, may be tired or distracted and coincides with the hours people are getting in evening runs or walking the dog and students are getting out of school.”
So that you or a loved one isn’t a victim, Dr. Eastman offered some important safety reminders:
- Pedestrians should walk on a sidewalk or path when one is available. If no sidewalk is available, walk on the shoulder, facing traffic
- Drivers should look for pedestrians everywhere. Pedestrians may not be walking where they should be or may be hard to see – especially in poorly lit conditions, including dusk/dawn/night and bad weather
- Stay alert; don’t be distracted by electronic devices including smart phones and other devices that take your eyes and ears off the road
- Pedestrians should be predictable. Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections when possible as this is where drivers expect pedestrians
- Those out at night should be visible. Pedestrians should wear bright clothing during the day and wear reflective materials or use a flashlight at night
- Drivers should stay focused and slow down where children may be present such as school zones and neighborhoods.
“And both pedestrians and motorists should avoid alcohol or drugs when walking or driving,” Dr. Eastman warned. “Both substances will impair your judgment and coordination and could lead to a tragic outcome – one that could have been avoided.”