Mid-Block Pedestrian Crossings

Did you know that approximately 72% of pedestrian fatalities happen at mid-block locations, which are areas that are not designated as crosswalks or intersections? This is a significant number and emphasizes the risks of walking in areas that are not designed for pedestrians, as identified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Creating Safer Walking Environments

“Make Sure Drivers Can See You” is a Pedestrian Awareness Crosswalk Education Public Safety Campaign that aims to create safer walking environments for pedestrians. The campaign focuses on three main areas of improvement: painting crosswalk lines bolder, launching a petition to support this effort, and incorporating pedestrian safety into work zones and urban planning.

Crosswalk Visibility

One of the main objectives of the campaign is to make crosswalk lines more visible to drivers, especially at night or in low visibility conditions. By painting the lines bolder, drivers will be able to see them more clearly and avoid accidents. The campaign also encourages people to sign a petition to demonstrate support for pedestrian initiatives, which can be presented to local governments and transportation agencies.

Heighten WorkZone Awareness

The second objective of the campaign is to raise awareness of pedestrian safety in work zones, where pedestrians are often at risk due to heavy machinery and construction activities. The campaign suggests implementing temporary measures such as barriers, warning signs, and flaggers to ensure the safety of pedestrians.

Pedestrian Friendly Cities

Finally, the campaign aims to incorporate pedestrian safety into urban planning. By designing cities with pedestrians in mind, planning officials can create safer and more walkable environments for everyone. The campaign recommends incorporating features like wider sidewalks, pedestrian-only zones, and traffic-calming measures to improve safety.

By implementing these recommendations, the “Make Sure Drivers Can See You” campaign hopes to create a safer and more pedestrian-friendly environment for everyone.

ROADWAY SAFETY PRODUCTS

“The products for this year’s New Products Rollout include items designed to protect roadway workers, motorists and pedestrians, which reflects the diverse challenges tackled by this industry,” said ATSSA Manager of Innovation & Technical Services Melodie Matout. “It’s always fascinating to see the products on view for the NPRO and the ways they can help advance roadway safety.”