We often remind our loved ones to "Drive safe!" recognizing that driving can be one of the riskiest activities we undertake daily. However, there's another critical aspect of traffic safety that frequently goes overlooked: pedestrian safety around vehicles.

In 2015, traffic accidents in the United States claimed the lives of 5,376 pedestrians, accounting for more than 15% of all roadway fatalities—an alarming 10% increase in pedestrian deaths from the previous year.

To enhance your safety as a pedestrian, it's crucial to understand the common causes of pedestrian-vehicle collisions:

Low Visibility at Night: Nearly three-quarters of pedestrian fatalities occur at night. Limited visibility makes it harder for drivers to see pedestrians, especially those wearing dark or non-reflective clothing.

Crossing Away from Crosswalks: The majority of incidents occur away from intersections, where vehicles are likely to travel at higher speeds, increasing the likelihood of fatal outcomes.

Alcohol Impairment: Alcohol consumption by either the driver or pedestrian was a factor in nearly half of all fatal pedestrian-vehicle collisions. Alcohol impairs judgment and can lead to risky behaviors such as misjudging vehicle distances or jaywalking.

Distractions While Walking: Many accidents also occur while pedestrians are distracted by activities such as texting, talking, or listening to music, which causes them to be unaware of their surroundings.

Combining any of these factors—crossing roads at night, outside of crosswalks, after consuming alcohol, or while distracted—significantly increases the risk of fatal accidents.

Even if you believe you have the right-of-way, never assume that you are visible to drivers. Adopt our course principle of defensive behavior: it's better to stay safe than to insist on being right. Wear brightly colored clothing, make eye contact with drivers, avoid assuming that vehicles will stop, and stay sober and alert.

Given these insights, it's time for us to embrace a new mantra: "Walk safe!"