OCTOBER IS PEDESTRIAN SAFETY MONTH

 

With fall temperatures approaching, many more pedestrians will be out to enjoy their walks in the cooler weather. During the month of October, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) celebrate and promote National Pedestrian Safety Month. The NHTSA’s definition of a pedestrian is, “any personal on foot, walking, running, jogging, hiking, sitting, lying down or using a wheelchair. This definition encompasses individuals crossing streets or moving in public areas, but it does not include people riding bicycles or other vehicles”.  This campaign aims to raise awareness about road safety whether walking, rolling or biking. Everyone shares the responsibility for road safety. In the year 2022, a pedestrian was killed every seventy (70) minutes and injured every eight (8) minutes in traffic crashes. If you have been injured due to the negligence of another in Florida or Georgia, call Barnes Cohen & Sullivan for a free consultation.

Fatality Rate Trends

According to the NHTSA, Florida experienced 6,730 pedestrian fatalities from 2013 to 2022. The peak occurred in 2021 with 819 fatalities, followed closely by 773 in 2022. Each year saw an increase in fatalities toward the end of the year, coinciding with students returning to school, cooler weather, and the holiday season. In Georgia, there were 2,447 pedestrian fatalities during the same period, with the highest count in 2022 at 345. Similar to Florida, Georgia also experienced significant spikes in fatalities during the later months of the year. One contributing factor is daylight saving time, which results in darker evenings and may lead to more incidents at night. Also likely for more fatalities to occur at nighttime is daylight savings when it gets darker earlier.

The pedestrian fatality trends that are documented by the NHTSA state, that in “2021 some 7,388 pedestrians died and approximately 60,577 were injured in traffic crashes in the United States”. Characteristics of fatal crashes involving pedestrians include:

  • Light conditions: 76% of pedestrians were killed in collisions that occurred when it was dark, with another 4% occurring during dusk or dawn (NHTSA, 2024).
  • Roadway location:73% of pedestrian fatalities occurred at non-intersection locations (NHTSA, 2024).
  • Time of day:  25% of all pedestrian fatalities occurred from 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m. and 26% from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. (NHTSA, 2024).
  • Hit-and-run:  23% of pedestrian fatalities in 2021 involved hit-and-run drivers (NHTSA, 2024).

Know the Basics for Pedestrian Safety

8 Safety Tips for Drivers

  1. Look out for pedestrians everywhere, at all times.
  2. Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.
  3. Never drive under the influence of drugs/alcohol.
  4. Follow the speed limit, especially in heavily populated walking areas, school zones, and in neighborhoods.
  5. Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or bad weather conditions.
  6. Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk, there may be people crossing where you can’t see.
  7. Be extra cautious when backing up and look for pedestrians.
  8. Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and give enough space for the pedestrian to safely cross.

8 Walking Safety Tips

  1. Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
  2. If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross.
  3. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
  4. Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.
  5. Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.
  6. Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment.
  7. Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots.
  8. Embrace walking as a healthy form of transportation – get up, get out and get moving.

 

As October marks National Pedestrian Safety Month, it’s crucial to recognize the heightened risks faced by pedestrians, especially as the cooler weather encourages more outdoor activity. With alarming statistics indicating that a pedestrian is injured every eight minutes in traffic incidents, the responsibility for safety lies with both drivers and walkers. The data from the NHTSA highlights critical trends in pedestrian fatalities, particularly during darker evening hours and at non-intersection locations. By adhering to safety tips and fostering a culture of vigilance on our roads, we can all contribute to a safer environment for pedestrians. If you or someone you know has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, the compassionate team at Barnes Cohen & Sullivan is here to help. We offer free consultations to discuss your case and ensure that your rights are protected. With our offices in Kingsland, GA, Jacksonville, FL and Jacksonville Beach, Fl, we are here for you no matter where you are. Let’s work together to make our streets safer for everyone this October and beyond.