KANSAS CITY, MO. — Whether by car, train, bus, bike, or other, we all have different preferences when it comes to getting to our destination, but we do have one thing in common — at some point, Everyone is a Pedestrian. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Region 7, which includes Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, wants to remind everyone that choosing safe behaviors behind the wheel could save their, or someone else’s life.
There was a nearly four percent increase in the number of pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in 2020, totaling 6,516 deaths. On average, a pedestrian was killed every 81 minutes and injured every 10 minutes in traffic crashes in 2020. Drivers and pedestrians alike always need to stay alert while traveling.
First responders, including law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, and tow truck drivers become vulnerable pedestrians when performing their job duties on the roadside. Inattentive driving and speeding are two of the top causes of crashes along the roadside and within work zones. The Move Over law, enacted in all 50 states, requires drivers to slow down and, if safe to do so, move over when approaching stopped emergency vehicles with emergency lights activated. To help emphasize this life-saving law, Saturday, October 15, 2022, has been designated National Move Over Day.
Every state also has a law requiring drivers to stop when a school-bus stop arm is extended, because the greatest risk to a child isn’t riding a school bus but boarding or leaving one. From 2010 to 2019, there were 1.6 times more fatalities among pedestrians than occupants of school transportation vehicles.
“As a motorist, it’s easy to take safety for granted around pedestrians and others along the road, but too many people are still paying with their lives,” said Regional Administrator Susan DeCourcy. “Unfortunately, if there is a collision between a pedestrian and a vehicle, the pedestrian is most likely to be the one killed or injured. Everyone in our region is responsible for safety on our roads. We’re in this together.”
Wearing bright colors during the day and using lights or reflectors when it is dark outside can help decrease crash risks for pedestrians. Most pedestrian crashes (77%) happen when it is dark outside; wearing reflective material, a blinking light, or carrying a flashlight makes it easier for a driver to see you.
“We live in an age of constant distraction where life is hectic, and people are busy. But taking a few extra steps each day before and while you drive, walk, or run could prevent someone from losing their life,” said DeCourcy. “Let’s keep each other safe, and always remember to Move Over and slow down for anyone along the side of the road.”
Whether you’re a concerned resident, a parent, or a caregiver, you need to do everything you can to make sure you, your loved ones, and your neighbors are safe while enjoying a walk in your community. Remember: At some point in the day, Everyone Is a Pedestrian.
For more information and safety tips, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety.