In recognition of National Pedestrian Safety Month, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) is encouraging Floridians to “take the first step” toward pedestrian safety by raising awareness of the best safety practices.
The state of Florida is known for its desirable weather, tourism, and beaches, all of which encourage activities such as walking. However, FLHSMV states that the number of crashes involving pedestrians has seen an increase in recent years.
In 2021, there were 9,569 pedestrian-involved crashes, and that number rose to 10,013 in 2022, according to FLHSMV.
According to data from FLHSMV, the months of March, October, and December have the most pedestrian crashes. In addition, the danger for pedestrians increases between the hours of noon to 6 p.m. due to heavier traffic and high pedestrian activity, and the most hazardous days for crashes are Friday and Saturday.
“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 out in their community,” states FLHSMV. Since these data factors have stayed the same over the past few years, FLHSMV added that it is critical to educate motorists and pedestrians 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 cellphone when crossing the street.
- Whenever possible, cross streets at crosswalks or intersections, where drivers expect pedestrians, and look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right. If neither is 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 and be seen. Wear bright clothing and reflective materials during the day or 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 hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or bad weather.
- Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk. Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing that 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 around people on the street. Follow slower speed limits in school zones and neighborhoods where children are present.
- A vehicle approaching a pedestrian legally crossing the street at an intersection must yield or stop to allow the person walking to cross. This law applies to bicyclists as well as motor vehicle drivers.
- If motorists fail to yield, they face a minimum citation of $164 and three points on their driver license – it is the law. Worse, they can severely injury someone – even taking their life.
- All sides of the intersection – marked or not – are crosswalks, regardless of whether the sidewalk is paved or unpaved. The only exception is where a state or local government has explicitly closed a particular crosswalk with signage indicating its closure.
- As drivers, you must be prepared to slow or stop anytime – for emergency vehicles, buses, bicyclists, animals, other motorists slowing to turn, and other situations.
- Be extra cautious when backing up—look for pedestrians that may have moved into your path.
For more information on Pedestrian Safety Month, including safety tips for pedestrians and motorists, visit the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ Pedestrian Safety webpage.