October is Pedestrian Safety Month
People often don't view themselves as pedestrians because they drive, bike, or ride the bus. In reality, all of us are pedestrians if we leave our houses. Whether you're going from your car to the store, taking your dog on the trail, going to or from the transit stop, or going somewhere after you lock your bike up, you are a pedestrian. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHWSA) reports that there were 6,205 pedestrian fatalities in 2019. They have provided the below safety tips for drivers.
Driver Safety Tips- Look out for pedestrians everywhere, at all times. Safety is a shared responsibility.
- Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or bad weather.
- Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.
- Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from the cross-walk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop too.
- Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing that you can’t see.
- Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
- Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street.
- Follow slower speed limits in school zones and in neighborhoods where children are present.
- Be extra cautious when backing up—pedestrians can move into your path
Check out the NHTSA's web page on Pedestrian Safety for more information.