During October’s pedestrian safety month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published “Everyone is a Pedestrian.” The information was so informative, I have decided to summarize it, which can be helpful to all government agencies or homeowners’ associations to increase the safety of pedestrians.
Whether it be in a parking lot, crosswalk, or on a road, everyone is a pedestrian. Pedestrian safety is crucial to know for pedestrians, motor vehicle operators, and all other road users because pedestrian safety is a two-way street that involves equal respect and equal responsibility.
Decreased Vehicle Speeds
It goes without saying, in a crash between a vehicle and a pedestrian, the pedestrian is far more likely to be killed or injured. It is important to remember that children are often the smallest pedestrians, making them harder to see. Younger children may often dart into intersections without understanding the dangers.
There are actions that only the driver can take, such as obeying the posted speed limit. Following the speed limit is not just the law, it is a critical component to keeping pedestrians safe. Driving at the posted speed limit provides the driver time to see, identify, and react in time to break for pedestrians. When a driver speeds, it increases reaction time and greatly increases the likelihood the driver could hit the pedestrian.
In 2018, nearly three out of four pedestrian fatalities occurred at non-intersections. Let me say that again, 74% of pedestrian deaths did not occur at an intersection. Even if you are going 35 mph in a 25-mph zone, it increases your vehicle stopping distance by more than 100 feet or nearly 35 yards on a football field. 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.
Distractions
Over the past decade, distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of vehicle crashes on our nation’s roads. Researchers at the Governors Highway Safety Association are concerned that increasingly distracted drivers are leading to more pedestrian involved collisions. Sending or receiving an average text takes the drivers eye off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent of driving blindfolded at 55 mph for the length of an entire football field. Imagine taking your eyes off the road and driving 100 yards, 300 feet, at 55 mph.
Drivers are not the only ones at fault. It really is absurd how common it has become to see people walking down the street looking at their phone. Whether motorist or pedestrian, all road users share the responsibility of keeping themselves and others safe while interacting with traffic. When you get behind the wheel or you are walking down the street, putting away your phone should be automatic.
Impaired Pedestrians
Alcohol involvement – for the driver and/or the pedestrian – was reported in 48% of the traffic crashes that resulted in pedestrian deaths in 2018. Thirty-three percent of the pedestrians killed in crashes were over the legal alcohol limit (a blood alcohol limit of 0.08 or higher). An estimated 16% of fatal pedestrian crashes involved a driver with a BAC of 0.08 or higher. An alarming number of all crash fatalities on Halloween involved a drunk pedestrian.
Older Pedestrians
In 2018, approximately 52.4 million people or 16% of the total U.S. population, were 65 years or older. This research also shows that there were 6,900 people 65 or older (19%) and an estimated 267,000 injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes. Compared to the year 2017, there was a 1% increase in the number of fatalities and a 2% decrease, however, in those injured in the older age group. In 2018, of the 5,600 pedestrians killed in single vehicle crashes, 97% were killed in crashes where the first harmful event was a collision with a pedestrian.
In Conclusion
A traffic related pedestrian death occurs every 84 minutes. That is about an hour and a half there is a pedestrian killed. Remember the distraction changes the way the pedestrians walk, react, and behave. Alcohol involvement for the driver and/or the pedestrian occurs in almost half of all fatal pedestrian traffic crashes. Be safe whether you are a pedestrian or a driver. Use common sense and remember to stop, look, and listen.