Martha Rodriguez Dies In Accident

[Cathedral City, CA] – Martha Rodriguez killed in Pedestrian Accident on Crossley Road 

Martha Rodriguez Killed by Vehicle in Cathedral City

 

October 31, 2020 – Martha Rodriguez, age 40, was killed on Thursday night around 7:45 P.M.  

Moreover, she died in a pedestrian accident on Crossley Road and Sarah Street. 
 
 
Emergency responders found the victim alive and suffering from major injuries. 

Unfortunately, the wounds were too severe. Alas, she passed away at the scene. 
 
Additionally, the Cathedral City Police Department Traffic Team is continuing to investigate the incident.  

At this time, it is still unknown if drugs or alcohol were involved in the crash. 

How to Avoid Pedestrian Accidents   

Drivers:   

When you are a driver, there are things that you can do to help avoid a pedestrian accident.  

Here are a couple of things to keep in mind:   

1. Drive Slower in Pedestrian Areas   

Driving slower when you see pedestrians can give you extra time to react. Often, pedestrians can be unpredictable.  

It is important to remember that even a fraction of a second can make a dramatic difference when it comes to preventing a pedestrian accident.  

Taking it slow gives you extra time to spot and respond to pedestrians.   

2. Patience Is a Virtue   

Some senior citizens may need just a little extra time to cross the street.  

What is more, they also may have difficulty seeing you.  

Additionally, a person who is blind may also require a little extra time and care.    

If you drive an electric car or hybrid, it might be hard for a blind person to hear your vehicle.  

Therefore, leaving a little extra distance and time can be beneficial to those who have unusual circumstances to stay safer on the roads.   

3. Eye Contact is Important   

Pedestrians would like you to have seen them before they start crossing the street.  

Subsequently, looking to make eye contact with pedestrians could be a way to help everyone communicate with each other about who is going where on the roads.  

Eye contact can help you all have clear hopes and avoid confusion that can lead to tragedy.   

4. Pay Attention to School Bus Rules and School Crossing Signs   

There are certain rules for drivers who are driving near school buses or in school zones.  

Furthermore, children do not always think to look both ways before entering a busy street.   

When a school guard gives you a command, make sure you follow it.  

Similarly, school buses can be difficult to see around, and you should never take the chance to ignore a school bus stop sign.   

5. Do not Make Assumptions   

If the vehicle before you stop suddenly, it can be tempting to try and quickly drive around them.  

That is a mistake because there could be a pedestrian in front of the first car.    

You should leave enough distance to be able to stop when the car in front of you stops.  

Trying to dart around traffic can lead to disaster.   

6. Weather Can Make a Difference   

You cannot always stay home when the weather turns bad.  

Also, pedestrians may not always stay home either.    

Make sure to allow added time and follow-through distance in unfavorable weather conditions.  

Moreover, giving yourself added time to stop can be what you need to make sure that you can adapt if your car acts in unpredictable ways due to the weather.   

7. D.U.I   

Drinking and driving, or using drugs reduces your response time.  

Not only that, pedestrians do not know whether drivers are under the influence or not.   

When you drive under the influence, you put yourself at risk and endanger pedestrians and other drivers around you.  

Thus, making sure you drive sober is not only what is safe, but also what the law requires.  

Injuring a pedestrian while drunk driving results in serious penalties, including the real possibility of considerable time in prison.   

 Pedestrians:   

Pedestrians may also take added steps to avoid an accident. Here are a couple of tips to consider.  

1. Stick to Designated Crossing Areas   

The California Department of Transportation puts a lot of work into planning safe roads for both drivers and pedestrians.  

When you walk, your best bet is stick to appointed pedestrian crossing areas.  

Additionally, these areas have traffic control devices to cross safely.  

2. Drivers Will Not Always See You   

Sadly, drivers do not always pay attention the way they should. Moreover, some of them may even be under the influence.  

Your best bet is to make sure traffic stops before you cross a crossroads even when you have the right way.   

3. Pay Attention to Stopped Vehicles   

The car in front of you could see you and stop.  

Meanwhile, the car behind that should stop, too, they might try to drive around the first car quickly.    

Beware of this possibility and look for any other vehicles as you continue through a crosswalk.  

Even if you are moving around parked cars, it is worth the extra look to make sure there are not any other cars around you.   

4. If You Must Stop, Move Your Car Far Away on a Street   

Some of the most severe pedestrian accidents happen when drivers stop their cars on the side of a highway.  

That is because, other drivers continue to travel at a high speed, and they may not always pay attention to what is on the road.    

If you need to stop your car on the side of the road, make sure to leave as much space as possible between you and the road.  

Do not stand right by the road.  

Also, leaving added space between you and the street may give you and drivers the critical time necessary to avoid an accident. 

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To the family and friends of Martha Rodriguez, we cannot begin to imagine what you are going through, and our sincerest condolences go out to you. 

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