Delaware’s pedestrian safety education campaign kicked off this week with demonstrations of the effects of speed on pedestrian safety n New Castle County and Sussex County. The “Walk Smart” campaign involves law enforcement in the state and the Delaware Department of Transportation. See infographic below. .DE Pedestrian-Speed Fact Sheet – Infographic
For businesses, the effort includes making sure employees observe speed limits and remain aware of their surroundings, especially in residential and other areas with large numbers of pedestrians. It also means staff observing safety practices while being pedestrians.
DelDOT and other transportation agencies run campaigns urging drivers to be cautious in construction zones.
The campaign is being a launched in May, a month that often ranks at the top for pedestrian crashes in Delaware.
“Speed is one factor that is almost always the difference between life and death when it comes to pedestrian crashes,” said Jana Simpler, director of the Delaware Office of Highway Safety, which is coordinating the Walk Smart campaign with DelDOT.
Traffic safety officials have hammered home the point that a driver in traveling at 25 miles an hour, the top speed in many residential areas, has a better chance to stop in time to avoid a pedestrian collision and if a child or other pedestrian is hit, the victim has a far better chance of survival.
“Even one pedestrian crash on our roadways is too many, and we are working hard to create strategies to eliminate these crashes,” Simpler said at the kick-off events. “Although quite simple, this message is vitally important.” To drive home this point, the events included a demonstration of vehicle stopping time and distance, featuring a wire-frame model of a child crossing the street.
“The lesson here is clear,” said Adam Weiser, DelDOT Safety Programs Manager. “If a pedestrian is struck by a car going 25 mph or slower, the odds of survival are good. At speeds above 35 mph, the impact is likely to be fatal.”
From 2012-2013, 754 pedestrian crashes occurred on Delaware’s roadways; 75 percent occurred in New Castle County with most in the Wilmington area. Sussex County has also experienced an increase in pedestrian crashes. There were 20 pedestrian-related crashes along Route 1 from Lewes to Fenwick Island from 2011-2013 as more visitors and residents venture out for exercise or to get around.
In an effort to combat these statistics, the Walk Smart campaign involves a combination of law enforcement stopping violators and educating them about safe walking and crossing practices and public awareness activities.
OHS and DelDOT, along with state and local police departments , will conduct pedestrian safety patrols along roadways with high pedestrian crashes. The agencies will distribute pedestrian safety informational materials that highlight safe pedestrian practices along with reflective items with the “Walk Smart” message.
The number of pedestrians in some areas has increased, perhaps a reflection of an economy that has left many without a vehicle. In addition, there are many retail areas with higher-speed highways – examples being Route 1, Rehoboth; Route 40 in Bear and Kirkwood Highway west of Wilmington – where pedestrians are tempted to not use crosswalks.
“Troopers will continue to emphasize and bring awareness that pedestrian crashes often result in deadly consequences,” said Sergeant Paul G. Shavack, director of Public Information for the Delaware State Police.
“The key to stopping these predictable and preventable incidents from occurring is through education and targeted enforcement for the safety of both pedestrians and motorists. Troopers will focus enforcement efforts on pedestrians who are crossing at areas other than designated crosswalks, walking along a roadway when a sidewalk is available, as well as motorists who fail to obey laws designed to ensure pedestrian safety.”
In an effort to further enhance the Walk Smart campaign, Christiana Care and Beebe Healthcare have joined forces to provide education about the effects of pedestrian crashes.
