October is National Pedestrian Safety Month, and the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is urging drivers to slow down and be alert. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately one pedestrian was killed every 70 minutes in traffic crashes on U.S. roads in 2022.
With Halloween approaching, ALDOT is urging drivers to be aware of increased pedestrian activity, particularly children who may dart into the street without looking.
To address pedestrian safety issues in disadvantaged communities across Alabama, ALDOT is proud to be a part of the resource team, a group comprised of various state and federal agencies, including the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and Auburn University’s Transportation Research Institute.
John Michael Walker, a traffic design engineer for ALDOT, has been instrumental in the resource team’s efforts. “We provide crash data, technical assistance, and analyze and interpret the data,” Walker explained. “We also conduct site visits to identify potential hazards and make recommendations for improvements.”
One of the the teams primary focuses is ensuring the safety of children in pedestrian walking zones. Captain Crosswalk, a superhero character created by Alabama Transportation Assistance Program (ATAP) to educate children about pedestrian safety, has been visiting local schools and appearing in informational videos.
The resource team has conducted field visits to assess current conditions for children walking to Wares Ferry Elementary School in Montgomery and has developed preliminary concepts for improving pedestrian facilities there.
By engaging underserved communities in the transportation planning process, the team aims to ensure that all Alabamans have safe walking routes.
While pedestrian safety is important year-round, National Pedestrian Safety Month serves as a timely reminder for everyone to slow down, pay attention, and drive carefully.
