October is National Pedestrian Safety Month
Laura Walker, RN, BSN, EMT, CFRN
Trauma Education and Outreach Injury Prevention Specialist
Covenant Healthcare – Saginaw, MI
Keeping pedestrians safe is one of the missions of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP). According to the OHSP, Michigan saw a 17% rise in pedestrian fatalities in the three-year period from 2020 to 2022. During that time, a total of 531 pedestrians were killed on Michigan roadways.
During 2022 alone, there were 2026 motor vehicle crashes involving pedestrians, and in those, 1566 people were injured and 173 were killed. The OHSP further notes that 86% of pedestrians involved in crashes were either injured or killed.
To raise awareness about the issue of pedestrian injuries and fatalities, the OHSP promotes National Pedestrian Safety Month beginning October 1st.
To help keep everyone safe, drivers and pedestrians are encouraged to follow these safety tips:
- Pedestrians should always cross at crosswalks.
- Wear reflective clothing, especially from dusk to dawn.
- Utilize sidewalks when available.
- If using the road, walk facing traffic and stay far to the left.
- Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, intersections, and all traffic-controlled areas. The best practice for drivers is to always yield to pedestrians.
For more information about pedestrian safety, see the Michigan State Police Pedestrian Safety site.
