The vibrant metropolis of St. Louis is home to the iconic 630-ft. Gateway Arch which attracted more than 2.4 million visitors in 2023. With its rich cultural history, it’s no wonder the city is the “Gateway to the West.”
But there’s a blight on the Missouri city’s image which it can’t seem to shake off. In 2022, about 78 people died as a result of traffic violence on the city’s roads. According to Trailnet, the number is more than double the amount of road fatalities in a decade.
In this article, we’ll discuss the alarming rise in car accident injuries in St. Louis and the possible reasons behind it.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the major causes of road accidents. The dangerous habit of answering a call or responding to a text while driving could result in disastrous consequences.
About 3,000 people die in car accidents every year because of distracted driving, says Forbes Advisor. While texting and driving is banned in many states, it hasn’t stopped the fatalities on U.S. roads.
St. Louis hasn’t proven any different. Many car accident victims are forced to take legal action and go in search of a St. Louis car accident lawyer.
Distracted driving doesn’t just encompass texting and driving. According to the CDC, anything that takes your attention from the road is classified as a distraction. Distracted driving can increase the chances of a motor vehicle accident in three ways: visual, manual and cognitive.
Believe it or not, cell phones only account for 12% of car accidents, says the National Traffic Safety Administration. If you want a silver lining to the bleak stats, the least distracted driving occurs between 6 and 9 am.
TorHoerman Law advises that if you’re involved in a car accident, you need to write the other party’s license plate number and vehicle details.
Road Rage
5 On Your Side’s Paul Cook discussed St. Louis’ problematic drivers in a lengthy article earlier this year.
He spoke about receiving hundreds of emails about the “other driver” and listeners relaying their stories of some crazy driver.
Admitting that accidents have increased on the city’s roads, Cook said maybe it was time for a reset. Drivers should try kindness and empathy when taking to the road.
Trailnet’s 2023 crash report echoed Cook’s thoughts and claims that 646 people were injured or killed as pedestrians or bikers on St. Louis streets. The advocacy group adds that traffic violence affects victims and their families.
They’ve also noticed a change in driver behavior since the pandemic. Always in a hurry, more drivers are speeding and failing to yield to pedestrians.
Trailnet has drawn up a list of problem corridors for pedestrians to avoid. These include Page Avenue and New Halls Ferry Road.
For pedestrians who have been hit by a motor vehicle, it’s recommended to hire an experienced car accident attorney as quickly as possible to initiate legal proceedings.
Speeding
Google “car accidents in St. Louis” and the majority of articles you’ll come across will state the reason for the crash – speeding.
In April, Codi Walker, 9, was pinned between two vehicles while trying to grab toys from the trunk of a car.
Kevin Johnson, 50, had struck Cody at high speed, pinning the little boy between the two cars. Johnson then allegedly fled the scene.
According to reports, he was charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, second-degree assault, armed criminal action and leaving the scene of an accident.
Possible Solutions
While the alarming rise in traffic incidents in St. Louis isn’t going to change overnight, organizations like Trailnet are advocating for long-term solutions.
They’re campaigning long and hard for the city to become more pedestrian and biking-friendly. Safety is paramount for all road users, and they are fighting for more accessibility to public transport systems.
Education is also key to bringing road fatalities down. Trailnet is striving to educate the public on the benefits of non-motorized transportation.
By collaborating with city officials, Trailnet encourages best practices for safer biking and walking in St. Louis.
It’s not only the job of advocacy groups and organizations to make St. Louis streets safe.
Community members, drivers and pedestrians all have their part to play. Avoid distractions and speeding. Don’t drink and drive. Watch out for road hazards and unsafe driving conditions.
By educating the public and incentivizing safer driving, the rise in traffic incidents can be reversed.