Fall has arrived on Long Island! With October comes pumpkin patches, apple cider donuts, costume parties, plenty of homework to go around. This month also serves as a timely reminder to look out for pedestrians, as October is Pedestrian Safety Month. With the weather in the mid 60’s and daylight savings just around the corner, it is a great time to go for a walk around the neighborhood. With students walking to school and trick-or-treaters on Halloween, everyone has a reason to keep pedestrian safety in mind this spooky season. There are plenty of ways to remain safe as a pedestrian, cyclist, or driver.
In 2023, there were 1,356 reported pedestrian crashes on Long Island. The Institute of Traffic Safety Management and Research’s (ITSMR) Traffic Safety Statistical Repository (TSSR) shows that 872 of those crashes were in Nassau County and 484 crashes were in Suffolk County. Of these total crashes across the island, 73 resulted in fatality. So far in 2024, 433 reported pedestrian crashes have occurred, with 300 in Nassau and 133 in Suffolk, with 23 fatalities. Pedestrian crashes are avoidable with the right precautions. These fatalities do not have to continue.
As part of their Pedestrian Safety Month campaign, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has provided safety tips for pedestrians and drivers alike so we can all be prepared before we hit the road for a walk, bike ride, or drive. For drivers, keeping your eyes on the road is not the only way to stay safe; be sure to:
Look for pedestrians at every crosswalk and turn.
Use extra precautions at nighttime or during rough weather.
Slow down and stop in advance for crosswalks and turns with a possible blind spot.
Never pass another vehicle that is stopped at a crosswalk, in case they stopped for a pedestrian you can't see.
Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Follow the speed limit, especially around school zones or areas with high chances of pedestrians, such as parks.
Be cautious when reversing and go slow.
Pedestrians must be aware of their surroundings and proactively protect themselves when walking:
Walk against the flow of traffic.
Follow the rules of the road and respect lights and signs.
Walk on sidewalks if applicable.
Cross only at crosswalks or intersections, use lights if applicable, and look all ways for cars, left then right then left again.
If crosswalks or intersections are not available, find a well-lit area and wait for enough of a gap in traffic to cross, continuously looking between lanes for oncoming traffic.
Watch for vehicles entering existing driveways and parking lots.
Avoid alcohol and/or drug use, impaired walking is dangerous.
Learn more about pedestrian safety from NHTSA here.
At some point, everyone is a pedestrian. This October, Walk Safe Long Island reminds you to share the road and look out for pedestrians and cyclists year-round.
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