Everyone is a Pedestrian - Let’s Stay Safe
Oct 01, 2020
October is Pedestrian Safety Awareness Month, and it's a good time to remember that we are all pedestrians at some point during the day....whether we are crossing a parking lot, walking the dog or even walking to the bus stop.
In a crash between a vehicle and a pedestrian, the pedestrian is far more likely to be injured or killed. In fact, there is a traffic-related pedestrian death every 84 minutes.
And, it’s important to remember that children are often the smallest pedestrians, making them harder to see. Additionally, younger children may dart into intersections without understanding the dangers. That's why it is so important for everyone to look out for each other on roads and sidewalks.
While there are many actions that pedestrians can take to stay safe - like using crosswalks and wearing bright clothing to be seen, there are also actions that drivers can take, such as obeying the posted speed limit.
Driving at the posted speed limit allows time to “see, identify, and react” in time to brake for pedestrians. If you are a driver and see something ahead, slow down and identify the object. Then....react by applying the brakes. If you are speeding in a vehicle, it increases reaction time, making it more likely that you could hit a pedestrian.
According to the U. S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Trafc Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2018 nearly three quarters (74%) of pedestrian fatalities occurred at non-intersections. If you are speeding, pedestrians can seem to “come out of nowhere.” This is especially true in neighborhoods and around schools. Even if you are going 35 mph in a 20 mph zone, it increases your vehicle’s stopping distance by more than 100 feet. In those few seconds, your vehicle will travel the length of a basketball court, and it could be too late to avoid hitting the pedestrian in front of you.
Visit www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety to learn more tips and to get information about pedestrian safety.
