Did you know that, on average, a pedestrian loses their life every 72 minutes, while one is injured every 8 minutes due to traffic accidents (NHTSA)?
In 2023, an estimated 68,244 pedestrians were injured, and 7,314 lost their lives, marking a 4% decrease from 2022. However, pedestrian fatalities continue to be alarmingly high in the United States, representing 18% of all traffic-related deaths in 2023. This underscores a significant safety concern that affects us all. At some point during the day, everyone is a pedestrian. NHTSA offers these driving tips to keep everyone safe:
8 Safety Tips for Drivers
- Look out for pedestrians everywhere and minimize blind spots.
- 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 crosswalk 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 where you can’t see.
- Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
- Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street, in school zones and in neighborhoods where children are present.
- Be extra cautious when backing up and look for pedestrians.
8 Walking Safety Tips
- Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
- Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.
- If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
- Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.
- 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.
- Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment.
- Embrace walking as a healthy form of transportation – get up, get out and get moving.
As Halloween approaches, it’s important to remember that more pedestrians will be out and about, especially towards the end of the month. On Halloween night, drivers should be particularly vigilant, as there will likely be increased foot traffic on the roads and in unexpected areas. Families will be out trick-or-treating, and children may not be fully aware of the surrounding traffic, making them quick to dash into the street. Unfortunately, Halloween also involves potentially deadly crashes, and impaired drivers on the road. In 2022, nearly half of all crash fatalities during Halloween night were alcohol related. To stay safe, here are 13 ghoulishly good tips for drivers, trick-or-treaters, party guests and hosts, courtesy of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
Safety Tips for Drivers
- #1: Be alert for trick-or-treaters and other pedestrians.
- #2: Slow down and scan the road. Remember: Slower speeds save lives.
- #3: Watch for young trick-or-treaters in unexpected places. Children may be unaware of traffic and dart into the street unexpectedly.
- #4: If you see a drunk driver, contact law enforcement.
Safety Tips for Pedestrians
- #5: Before festivities begin, create a “buddy system” to get each other home safely and prevent walking alone.
- #6: Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
- #7: If possible, cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.
Safety Tips for Partygoers
- #8: Before drinking, choose a designated driver, or schedule a ridesharing, ride-hailing or taxi service.
- #9: If you drink, do not drive for any reason. Even a small amount of alcohol can affect driving ability.
Safety Tips for Hosts
- #10: Be responsible and take action to make sure guests get home safely.
- #11: Prepare to call taxis rideshares, provide sleeping accommodations, or — if you’re sober — drive guests home yourself.
- #12: Collect car keys from guests who are drinking.
- #13: Provide non-alcoholic beverage options.