By Eileen Buckley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-989243.mp3
Buffalo, NY – National statistics show that thse alarming storefront crashes are not uncommon across the country.
But as WBFO'S Eileen Buckley reports, the number of such accidents in this region in such a short time span is highly unusual. She spoke to a former storefront crash-victim who now hosts a Website called storefrontcrashes.com.
Mark Wright is a freelance writer in Maryland. His Website has become an information portal to teach the public about the growing problem of storefront crashes.
Wright began his research after a vehicle rammed through a building injuring him. He says while it is common occurrence, the number of recent crashes here in the Buffalo area is out of the ordinary.
Recent local incidents included one case of DWI and another appeared to involve driving under the influence of drugs.
According to the International Parking Institute's August issue, causes of storefront crashes vary. But certain patterns stand out. Wright said the most common cause is "pedal confusion" among drivers of all ages.
Wright noted that parking lot designers, architects and building owners that plan for parking in front of a businesses must put the possibility of a storefront crash into the planning equation.