Alley of Agony

GARLAND,Texas - - Blue skies overhead, flowers blooming in the meadow, birds singing in the distance, green leaves on trees and bushes. Warmer temperatures have finally arrived and the playful laughter of children can be heard nearby. All signs that spring is here. The alluring sunshine and carefree atmosphere of spring time adds dangers for motorists and kids in the alleys of many urban communities in Texas. In just a blink of an eye, a kid chasing after a bouncing ball and a motorist looking away to change the radio station or answer a cell phone then suddenly...SCREEEECH!! BANG!!! BOOM!!!... Spring time smiles turn to frowns, emotions of gloom and despair are now present. Two lives now cling to the same breathe as a child lays helpless in a heap on the ground suffering from the trauma and shock of being hit by a 2 1/2 ton vehicle and a concerned motorist, his body riddled with shock and empathy in his heart for the child.


While playing basketball in the driveway at a friends house late in the afternoon of Tuesday April 8, 2008, a 12 year old boy was struck by a truck that was entering an alley. The little boy darted into the alley after the basketball hastily trying to retrieve the rebound of a missed shot. Seconds later he was hit and knocked to the ground, he tumbled over and over from the force of the truck until his limp body finally came to rest at the corner of the alley. They all rush to this young man, his friend and his father and the motorists. Thankfully they were all there to care for him at the scene.


Later, while he was getting checked in at the emergency room, I asked him to tell me what happened. He said, "All, I remember is I ran down the hill into the alley to get the basketball and the next thing I knew, there was the truck hitting and knocking me to the ground."

Upon hearing about such a life altering event, my parental instincts began to stir something inside of me so, I researched more into the dangers of alleys. My research lead me search to various sources, on-line journals and state and government websites.

Do you know the speed limit in an alley? Who has the right of way, the pedestrian or the motorist?

According to the Texas Driver's Handbook, when entering or crossing a road, street, or highway from a private road, alley, building, or driveway after stopping prior to the sidewalk, you shall yield the right-of-way to all approaching vehicles and pedestrians, the speed limit is only 15 miles per hour (mph).

In an report obtained from Personalinjurylawers.com, the site estimates that, "every year approximately 5,000 pedestrians are killed in motor vehicle collisions in the United States. Tens of thousands more are injured in such accidents. Pedestrian accidents account for two percent of those injured or killed in traffic accidents annually. Pedestrian accidents can also occur as a result of non-vehicular incidents. While statistics show a drop in pedestrian fatalities in recent years, pedestrian safety is still a problem."

The causes of pedestrian accidents are wide ranging; however, some of the more common causes are:

· Pedestrian walks/runs into the roadway and is struck by an oncoming vehicle.

· Motorist does not see the pedestrian in time to stop.

· Motorist runs a red light at an intersection.

· Pedestrian is struck while getting out of a parked vehicle.

· Pedestrian is struck by a car moving in reverse or turning a corner.


Overall, the most common cause of pedestrian accidents is human negligence. If we can do nothing else, let's practice some of the following suggestions to help increase our awareness of the things around us so that we can all better enjoy ourselves:

1. Turn off the cell phone or pull over and park. Any call that you must take you should take when you are not moving in your car.
2. Turn down the radio. No reason why everybody has to "Lean wit it, rock wit it" with you!
3. Don't eat, sleep, read books or the newspaper. If you need a break then take one when its' safe not while you're behind the wheel!
4. Limit passenger distractions. If you have small ones in the car, be sure you have adequate snacks and activities (DVDs, handheld games, puzzle books) available and accessible.
5. Stay alert and Stay Alive!!!