Safety campaign: 'Take the First Step’ toward pedestrian safety
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)
Tallahassee, Florida - In recognition of National Pedestrian Safety Month, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) is attempting to raise awareness of the best practices to ensure pedestrian safety in its ‘Take the First Step’ safety campaign - a responsibility shared by motorists and pedestrians alike.
“Pedestrians are urged always to remain alert, and never assume a driver sees you,” said Colonel Gary Howze, II, Florida Highway Patrol Director. “Motorists should not engage in dangerous driving choices that endanger vulnerable road users, such as texting or distracted driving, impaired driving, and speeding.”
Florida is known for its desirable weather, tourism, and beaches, which encourage activities such as walking. Each year usually brings an increase in pedestrian crashes. For example:
• During 2019, there were 9,766 pedestrian-involved crashes with 736 fatalities and 1,525 serious bodily injuries.
• During 2020, there were 8,126 pedestrian-involved crashes with 720 fatalities and 1,266 serious bodily injuries.
• During 2021, there were 9,569 pedestrian-involved crashes with 835 fatalities and 1,430 serious bodily injuries.
• During 2022, there were 10,013 pedestrian-involved crashes with 765 fatalities and 1,393 serious bodily injuries.
Data relating to pedestrian crashes has remained the same, except for increased numbers. Months with the highest number of crashes:
• 2019 - March, October and December
• 2020 - January, February and December
• 2021 - March, October and December
• 2022 - March, October and December
For each of the above years:
• Friday was the most frequent day that crashes occurred.
• Saturday was the second most frequent day.
• The most common time for crashes in each of these years was 6:00 pm.
• On a daily basis, danger increases for pedestrians during the time period from 12:00 pm noon until 11:00 pm. due to heavier traffic and high pedestrian activity.
What does this tell us?
This data shows that pedestrians are most active when there may be heavy traffic, both when people leave work, or on a Friday or weekend when people are are often out and about within their community. Since these data factors have stayed the same over the past few years, it is safe to assume it is critical to educate pedestrians and motorists on how crashes can be avoided.
Pedestrian Walking Tips:
• Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available. If one isn’t available, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
• Pay attention, and always remain alert. Avoid wearing headphones so that you can hear the traffic and pedestrians around you. Never text or look at your cell phone when crossing the street.
• Whenever possible, cross streets at crosswalks or intersections, where drivers expect pedestrians. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right. If a crosswalk or intersections is not available, locate a well-lit area with the best traffic view. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely, and watch for traffic as you cross. Never enter the street from between parked cars. If crossing mid-block cannot be avoided, pedestrians must yield right of way to vehicles on the roadway.
• Do not cross an intersection diagonally except where and when official traffic control devices authorize crossing.
• Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots.
• Be safe; be seen. Wear bright clothing and reflective materials during the day, and use a flashlight at night. Never assume a driver sees you. Make eye contact with drivers as they approach.
• Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment.
Motorist Safety Tips:
• Always look out for pedestrians. Use extra caution when driving in poor visability conditions, like at night or during bad weather.
• Slow down, and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk. Never pass vehicles that are stopped at a crosswalk, as there may be people crossing the street you can’t see.
• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and stop well back from the crosswalk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see and stop for the crossing pedestrians.
• Follow the speed limit, especially when you see people on the street. Follow slower speed limits in school zones and neighborhoods where children are present.
• A vehicle approaching a pedestrian - who is legally crossing the street at an intersection - must yield or stop to allow the person walking to cross. This law applies to bicyclists and the drivers of motor vehicles.
• If a motorist fails to yield to a pedestrian, they face a minimum citation of $164 and 3 points on their driver license; it is the law. Worse, they can severely injure someone – or even take their life.
• All sides of the intersection are crosswalks - marked or not - regardless of whether the sidewalk is paved. The only exception is where a state or local government has explicitly closed a particular crosswalk, placing signs that indicate its closure.
• As drivers, you must be prepared to slow or stop - at all times - for emergency vehicles, buses, bicyclists, animals, other motorists slowing to turn, and other situations.
• Be extra cautious when backing up - look for pedestrians who may have moved into your path.
Additional Information:
For more information on Pedestrian Safety Month, including safety tips for pedestrians and motorists, visit FLHSMV’s Pedestrian Safety webpage: https://www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/driving-safety/pedestrian-safety/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.