Pedestrian Safety

Everyone is a pedestrian. People walk for recreation, exercise, and commuting. Reasons for walking may include gas prices, environmental concerns and improving health. If a community does not account for the needs of pedestrians, they are at risk for injury. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians must all act responsibly to ensure safety for all. A community with a road system that accommodates multiple modes of travel also decreases the risk of injury.

Who is most at risk?

• Older adults- Pedestrians ages 65 and older accounted for 20% of all pedestrian deaths and an estimated 9% of all pedestrians injured in 2012 (CDC)
• Children- In 2012, more than one in every five children between the ages of 5 and 15 who were killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians (CDC) Drivers and pedestrians who are alcohol-impared

Injury and Violence Prevention Podcasts (CDC)

Spokane Counts 2015: Bike/Pedestrian Collisions

Take steps to be safe when walking on roadways. This includes exercising caution at intersections and crosswalks and increasing your visibility at night by wearing retro-reflective clothing and carrying flashlights.

• Pedestrians should increase their visibility at night by carrying a flashlight when walking and by wearing retro-reflective clothing.
• Whenever possible, pedestrians should cross the street at a designated crosswalk or intersection.
• It is much safer to walk on a sidewalk, but if a sidewalk is not available, pedestrians should walk on the shoulder and facing traffic.

“On average, a pedestrian was killed every two hours and injured every seven minutes in traffic crashes. Fourteen percent of all traffic fatalities and an estimated 3 percent of those injured in traffic crashes were pedestrians.” (Traffic Safety Facts: Pedestrians, April 2014)