As the leaves begin to turn and the days grow shorter, October ushers in not just a change of seasons but also a crucial observance—Pedestrian Safety Month. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initiated Pedestrian Safety Month 2024 with a webinar on September 26, bringing together experts from the Governors Highway Safety Association, National Center for Safe Routes to School, Texas Pedestrian Safety Coalition, and Disability Rights Washington. The event highlighted NHTSA’s commitment to a people-focused and community-oriented strategy, aiming to develop and disseminate resources that enhance safety for everyone walking, biking, and using mobility aids.
As part of the initiative, the 2024 Pedestrian Safety - Community Resource Guide was designed to foster safer communities nationwide. This annual campaign highlights the vital issue of pedestrian safety, which remains pressing as urban populations grow and roads become busier. Each year, thousands of pedestrians are injured or lose their lives in traffic-related accidents, highlighting the ongoing need for improved safety measures and increased public awareness. This October, as we mark Pedestrian Safety Month 2024, we invite everyone to join us in walking toward a safer future, exploring effective strategies, innovative solutions, and community-driven efforts to protect those who traverse our city streets on foot.
The Importance of Pedestrian Safety
Pedestrian safety is a critical public health issue that affects communities worldwide. With the increasing number of vehicles on the road and the continuous expansion of urban areas, ensuring the safety of those on foot has become more challenging and essential than ever. In 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that approximately one pedestrian was killed every 70 minutes and injured every 8 minutes due to traffic crashes on U.S. roads. This alarming statistic signifies a crisis that demands urgent attention and action from all community members. In 2022, there were 7,522 pedestrian deaths—a 0.7% increase from 2021. Injuries also significantly increased, with 67,336 documented cases, reflecting an 11% year-over-year increase. Key factors contributing to these incidents include high-speed collisions, night-time accidents (when 78% of fatalities happen), and crashes at non-intersections. Refer to the NHTSA Pedestrian Traffic Safety Facts 2022 Data for additional statistics.
As we observe Pedestrian Safety Month this October, it's vital to recognize that enhancing pedestrian safety requires a multifaceted approach. This includes better infrastructure, such as well-designed crosswalks and pedestrian zones, effective traffic laws, and ongoing public education campaigns about the risks associated with road use. By prioritizing pedestrian safety, we save lives and enhance the quality of life for all community members, paving the way for more livable, friendly, and engaged urban environments.
The Safe System Approach
The Safe System Approach is an innovative and comprehensive strategy highlighted by the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS). It focuses on creating multiple layers of protection to prevent crashes and minimize harm when accidents occur. Core objectives include:
- Death and Serious Injury are Unacceptable: Prioritizing the elimination of fatal and severe crashes.
- Humans Make Mistakes: Designing transportation systems that accommodate human errors.
- Humans are Vulnerable: Emphasizing human vulnerabilities to ensure safer road designs.
- Responsibility is Shared: Encouraging all stakeholders to work collectively for pedestrian safety.
- Safety is Proactive: Identifying and mitigating risks before crashes occur.
- Redundancy is Crucial: Ensuring multiple safety mechanisms to provide backup if one fails.
The approach focuses on reducing death and serious injuries by accommodating human mistakes and fostering safer behaviors. At WildSpark, we are committed to bringing safety-first thinking to performance comfort apparel to keep pedestrians safe.
- Safer People: We must encourage safe and responsible behavior among road users to ensure they reach their destinations unharmed. Pedestrian visibility is crucial for pedestrian safety. Reflective shirts and hi vis apparel are essential.
- Safer Roads: We must design roadway environments to minimize human errors and account for human injury tolerances, promoting safer behavior and aiding safe travel, especially for vulnerable users.
- Safer Speeds: We must encourage safer speeds in various roadway settings using appropriate design, speed-limit setting, education, and enforcement. These elements help to mitigate risks associated with higher vehicle speeds.
Coalition Building: A Step-by-Step Strategy
Building a pedestrian safety coalition is fundamental for fostering community-driven change. The 2024 guide outlines five essential steps:
Starting a Pedestrian Safety Coalition:
This begins with concerned citizens identifying hazardous areas and uniting to address these issues, leveraging community-wide expertise and existing relationships.
Identifying Key Issues and Prioritizing Goals:
Communities can assess and document pedestrian safety concerns using tools like NHTSA's Walkability Checklists. Prioritizing these goals helps streamline efforts for maximum impact.
Making a Roadmap:
A clear action plan with designated responsibilities and deadlines keeps the coalition on track.
Putting Words into Action:
Implementing the roadmap with community awareness activities and engagement events ensures proactive steps towards safety.
Maintaining, Evaluating, and Adjusting:
Regular updates, meeting schedules, flexibility, and continuous evaluation are critical for overcoming challenges.
Leveraging Community Activities and Resources
For Pedestrian Safety Month 2024, key themes may focus on promoting comprehensive strategies to enhance pedestrian safety across all demographics. For children and schools, resources like the NHTSA's Child Pedestrian Safety Curriculum and the development of safer school bus stop strategies play crucial roles in minimizing accidents involving school-aged children. Programs like the Pedestrian Safer Journey and peer-to-peer educational initiatives help foster safe habits early on for teens. Adults and older pedestrians benefit from increased awareness about the risks of speeding and impaired driving, supported by access to comprehensive educational materials. Additionally, enhancing emergency response capabilities is critical; robust post-crash care protocols, including bystander intervention strategies and training programs like FEMA’s “You Are the Help Until Help Arrives,” are vital for saving lives in emergencies. These tailored approaches ensure all community members have the knowledge and tools necessary for safer pedestrian environments.
Funding Opportunities and Resources
Communities can tap into various U.S. DOT and NHTSA grant programs to support pedestrian safety projects and comprehensive safety plans. Programs like the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) and the Thriving Communities Program offer substantial funding and technical assistance to propel safety initiatives.
Pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility that requires a cohesive, community-driven approach. By aligning local efforts with the strategies and resources provided in the 2024 Community Resource Guide, we can create safer, more accessible environments for all pedestrians. Let's commit to making our roads safer and reducing pedestrian fatalities and injuries in 2024 and beyond.