Final answer:
The question concerns the essential need for improved pedestrian safety at heavy traffic areas. Increased traffic speeds and amounts can lead to accidents, which can be mitigated by implementing measures like installing traffic signals. Apart from this, addressing reckless driving behaviour and optimizing pedestrian routes could further enhance pedestrian safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is about the importance of pedestrian safety in high traffic areas. Increased vehicle speeds, notably by those intending to leave at the next exit or at inappropriate crossways, and high levels of traffic, increase chances of accidents. Pedestrian safety can be improved through the installation of traffic signals, that make vehicles slow down and allow pedestrians to cross at appropriate times. This measure becomes extremely crucial in areas where a significant amount of the pedestrian traffic consists of vulnerable groups like students, the elderly etc.
Moreover, the need for pedestrian safety measures also gets amplified with increasing traffic. For instance, if the traffic at an intersection has increased dramatically because of a newly opened manufacturing plant or a surge in the number of businesses, a traffic signal can greatly enhance safety. Reckless acts such as straddling lanes or ignoring speed limits will need to address harsher penalties to ensure compliance and protect pedestrians.
Lastly, areas like New York City pose a unique challenge as sidewalks and roads follow two-dimensional zigzag paths. Here, careful planning and thorough understanding of how people move can help optimize pedestrian routes and safety practices.
Learn more about Pedestrian Safety