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PB GIVEN HIGH DANGER RATING FOR PEDESTRIANS IN NATIONAL REPORT

By Erin France/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Saturday, November 14, 2009 9:29 PM CST

A national study released Monday rates Pine Bluff as the most dangerous place to walk in Arkansas, but city officials say they are wary of the representation.

Transportation for America presented the report, named “Dangerous by Design,” through data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

According to the numbers, the Pine Bluff metropolitan area had eight pedestrian deaths in 2007 and 2008.

Although the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway area had 30 pedestrian fatalities in 2007 and 2008, it received a lower Pedestrian Danger Index at 173.6 to Pine Bluff’s 289.9.

Next highest was Memphis with a 137.7 index and 47 pedestrian fatalities, Hot Springs with an 85.4 index and four pedestrian fatalities, and Texarkana with 77.6 index and three pedestrian fatalities.

The report states it averaged two years’ worth of pedestrian deaths and divided it by the percentage of commuters walking to work in the metro area.

City officials stated the number could have more to do with personal actions than the danger the city presents to pedestrians.

“Many of (the fatalities) are young children and adults who just run across the street,” said Pine Bluff Police Lt. Bob Rawlinson.

He suggested wearing bright colors at night and crossing streets at well-lit areas.

“If you’ve got any children, don’t let them cross the street by themselves,” Rawlinson said.

The most recent pedestrian death occurred in October when a Pine Bluff resident was hit by a Jefferson County sheriff’s deputy’s vehicle on U.S. 79 North outside of P.J.’s Nightclub about 4 a.m.

Another pedestrian fatality, categorized as a hit-and-run, occurred earlier the same week.

Jerre George, the Southeast Arkansas Regional Planning Commission director, said the city’s open ditches and lack of sidewalks can make it dangerous for pedestrians.

“People have to walk in the road,” she said. “There hasn’t been a lot of sidewalk development.”

George said knowing when and where the pedestrian deaths occurred would make a lot of difference in any recommendations she might give to make the city more pedestrian-friendly.

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