Pedestrians taking to the streets this time of year are especially vulnerable as they face dark mornings and early evenings as well as wet or icy road conditions. With a lot more people walking around in the dark, it’s not surprising that motor vehicle accidents involving pedestrians tend to increase in the late fall.
Also consider that many seasonal activities including football and the holiday rush cause people to be distracted and may involve alcohol consumption, and you have a recipe for increased risk.
Pedestrian fatalities throughout the year, have been consistently on the rise for more than a decade, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, which tracks pedestrian deaths in the U.S., more than 7,500 pedestrians were killed by drivers last year — the highest number since 1981.
To address these concerning statistics and make changes, we need to understand the conditions and circumstances that make the roads dangerous for pedestrians.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Nearly half of all pedestrian accidents happen during low visibility times. Approximately 30% occur at twilight (between 6 and 8 p.m. during fall and winter) and nearly 20% happen at daybreak (between 5 and 7 a.m. during fall and winter.) Another 20% of accidents happen between 12 and 3 a.m.
- Almost half (47%) of crashes that resulted in a pedestrian death involved alcohol for the driver and/or the pedestrian. One in every three (33%) fatal pedestrian crashes involved a pedestrian with a blood alcohol concentration of at least 0.08 grams per deciliter (g/dL), 17% involved a driver with a blood alcohol concentration of at least 0.08 g/dL, and some fatal pedestrian crashes involved both.
- Pedestrians aged 65 and older accounted for 20% of all pedestrian deaths and an estimated 10% of all pedestrian injuries in 2017. One in every five children under the age of 15 killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians in 2017.
- Higher vehicle speeds increase both the likelihood of a pedestrian being struck by a car and the severity of the injury.
- Most pedestrian deaths occur in urban areas, at non-intersection locations.
Safety Tips
While the data shows it might be safest to go for a walk, exercise or take care of errands during daylight hours, most of us don’t have that option during the fall and winter months. Here are some tips for staying safe when you are out and about in the dark:
- Give yourself enough time to get to where you are going, especially as weather conditions decline.
- Avoid wearing dark-colored clothing that blends into your surroundings. Wear bright colors. Strive to be seen!
- Wear reflective gear, especially when walking near or on roadways.
- Walk facing traffic when walking on roadways.
- Have a light source of some sort such as a flashlight or cell phone with light.
- Walk with a friend, family member or buddy, if possible.
- Don’t let yourself get preoccupied with your cell phone! Avoid walking and scrolling.
- In colder temperatures, make sure you dress for the occasion, which could include a hat, gloves, coat or insulated boots with good traction.
Approximately 80% of pedestrian fatalities occur in the dark. Be prepared, be cautious, and be safe!