While it may not be shocking that more people are driving less due to prices at the pump and difficult economic times, it is interesting to know that more people are using public transportation. According to a new study by the Public Interest Research Group, Florida’s most populous areas are driving less while bus ridership is up.
The study revealed that not only are the amount of auto miles driven down and public transit use is up in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota, but it looks to be this way nationwide. The study indicated the following:
- For Tampa and St. Petersburg, the number of miles driven decreased by seven percent over five years while bus ridership surged 19 percent.
- In Sarasota, public transit use increased by 80 percent over a five-year period while driving decreased.
While it is great that Floridians have discovered the convenience and lower cost of bus ridership, those who ride the bus need to aware that traffic accidents aren’t only for cars. In fact, many city busses, tour busses, motorcoaches, and other busses have been involved in their fair share of crashes.
Unfortunately, traffic accidents and injuries can occur involving any type of vehicle, and bus passengers can suffer serious bus accident injuries to the lack of seat belts. Some of the injuries bus passengers often sustain include:
- Broken arms and wrists
- Rotator cuff injury
- Clavicle fracture
- ACL, MCL, and other knee injuries
- Femur fracture
- Tibia fracture
- Back and neck injuries
- Herniated disc injury
- Head trauma
- Traumatic brain injury
If you have suffered an injury as a passenger on a bus, you should speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Get your questions answered and learn about how to protect your rights in a free consultation at 888-409-3805.
