October is Pedestrian Safety Month

By El Cerrito Police Department

October is Pedestrian Safety Month and the El Cerrito Police Department is increasing its focus on pedestrian safety enforcement to help keep everyone safe on our streets.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “At some point in the day, everyone is a pedestrian. In 2024, 7,080 pedestrians were killed and more than 71,000 pedestrians were injured nationwide. NHTSA raises awareness of the dangers to pedestrians and provides safety tips for pedestrians and drivers”

• 71,635 pedestrians were injured in traffic crashes in 2024, a 5% increase from 68,241 pedestrians injured in 2023.
• On average, a pedestrian died every 74 minutes and one was injured every 7 minutes in traffic crashes in 2024.
• 18% of all traffic deaths in 2024 were pedestrians, and 3% of all people injured in traffic crashes were pedestrians.
• 17% of the children 14 and younger killed in traffic crashes in 2024 were pedestrians.
• 69% of the pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in 2024 were males.
• Alcohol use was reported in 43% of all fatal pedestrian crashes in 2024, with a blood alcohol concentration of .01 for the driver and/or the pedestrian.
• In 2024, more pedestrian fatalities occurred in urban areas (84%) than in rural areas (16%).
• 73% of the pedestrian fatalities occurred at locations that were not intersections, 18% occurred at intersections, and the remaining 9% occurred at other locations in 2024.
• More pedestrian fatalities occurred in the dark (76%) than in daylight (20%), dusk (2%), and dawn (2%) in 2024.
• 90% of pedestrian fatalities occurred in single-vehicle crashes in 2024.
• 1 out of every 4 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in 2024 (24%) was struck by a hit-and-run driver.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Most pedestrian deaths (60% in 2021) occur on high-capacity urban roads that typically have posted speed limits of 45-55 miles per hour.”

Drivers:

– Slow down and watch for pedestrians, especially near intersections and crosswalks.

– Put your phone away and avoid distractions.

Pedestrians:

– Look both ways before crossing and watch for turning vehicles.

– Stay alert and avoid distractions, including cell phones and headphones.

Slow down. Stay alert. Look out for one another!

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.