The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has designated October as the first-ever national Pedestrian Safety Month. The agency is making pedestrian safety the focus of October as part of its continuing efforts to improve safety for vulnerable road users.
Whether in a parking lot, crosswalk, or on a road, everyone is a pedestrian. In 2018, there were 6,283 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in the United States, which accounted for 17% of all traffic fatalities in 2018. This equates to a traffic-related pedestrian death every 84 minutes.
In 2018, 74% of pedestrian fatalities occurred away from intersections (e.g., mid-block locations) and approximately 25% occurred at intersections. Last month a woman in my neighborhood was killed crossing the street at mid-block location just blocks from my house.
I appreciate a campaign like this as my mom was killed and six other pedestrians were injured as they crossed the street at a busy intersection in Bothell, Washington thirteen years ago. Crashes can be avoided.
Please be in the moment and focus on what you are doing. Whether it be driving, riding your bike, or walking. Being fully present is the key to safety.
Lori Koidahl 