The U.S. Department of Transportation marks October as National Pedestrian Safety Month, which celebrates the right of everyone to walk or roll safely and reminds drivers of their responsibility to stay alert for pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users. According to the Governors' Highway Safety Association, in 2022 over 7500 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle accidents in the United States.  Of those 7500, 77 were Arkansas residents.  

Here on the University of Arkansas campus, five student pedestrians were involved in motor vehicle accidents during the 2023-24 academic year. Helping students be safe while navigating across campus is a priority for the university, but student safety is a shared responsibility. 

Today, Oct. 9, members of the Associated Student Government will be at major crosswalks across campus for their annual crosswalk safety awareness event.

"We have more distractions than ever before which is why pedestrian safety is so important on a college campus. It is everyone's responsibility to be mindful and present when driving or crossing streets to ensure the safety of our campus community," said Jessica Post, emergency manager for the U of A.

Here are some helpful tips for both pedestrians and drivers.

Safety tips for pedestrians

Use sidewalks. When available, they are the safest place to walk. If no sidewalk is provided, it is usually safer to walk facing road traffic, as far left as possible, using extreme caution.

Be Visible. Wearing light-colored clothes with reflective materials may help you stand out to drivers. If you're in a very dark area, you might want to carry a flashlight to help see where you are going and increase your visibility.

Stay alert. There are many distracted drivers on the road, so be aware. Don't allow your vision to be blocked by clothing, hats, or distractions on your cell phone. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing to confirm they can see you and pay attention to their turn signals.

Cross streets at a corner. While it may be tempting to cross mid-block, this is where many injuries occur. Using traffic signals and crosswalks is much safer, especially in high-traffic areas. 

Look both ways. Look left, then right, then left again before crossing. Keep your eyes open as you cross and be aware that drivers might not see you even though you can see them.

Be especially careful at intersections. This is where many drivers may fail to yield the right-of-way while turning onto another street. If there is a pedestrian signal, watch and follow the pedestrian signal rather than the traffic signal.

Always avoid texting and using the internet on your phone while walking. When walking or crossing a street, avoid cellphone and headphone use so you can be observant of your surroundings. Texting while walking is distracting and makes it difficult to watch for traffic and obstacles in your path.

Watch out for parked vehicles. Parking lots can be dangerous as many drivers have a limited view when backing out. Drivers may not be expecting anyone to be walking there and extra attention is needed.

Be predictable. Your next move should be obvious to the driver. Effective non-verbal communication such as a simple wave can help make the difference in a driver/pedestrian interaction.

Pedestrian safety tips for drivers

Yield to pedestrians. When making a turn and waiting for an opening in traffic be aware that pedestrians may have moved into your path. Pedestrians always have the right-of-way — wait for them to safely reach the sidewalk before proceeding with your turn.

Be cautious around driveways and alleys. When entering and exiting, these can be very difficult places to spot pedestrians. Keep a close lookout, and if you can't see clearly, slow down.

Reduce distractions. Spotting pedestrians requires your full attention. Using a cellphone, eating or drinking, talking to passengers, reading a map, or changing the radio station makes your driving more distracted, difficult, and dangerous. If you are using a navigation app on your phone, set your destination before you begin driving.

Approach crosswalks carefully. If a pedestrian is crossing or about to cross, stop well before you reach them so drivers in other lanes also have time to yield. Never pass another vehicle that has stopped for pedestrians.

Follow the speed limit. Abiding by speed limits increases a driver's ability to watch for pedestrians and adjust for curves or objects in the roadway to help avoid dangerous situations. Plan and allow for extra time to get to your destination, take time to call ahead if you are running late, and always follow the speed limit.

Be vigilant in low-visibility conditions. Take extra precautions to spot pedestrians when driving at night or in weather conditions that reduce your ability to see, like diving in fog, rain, or snow.

Never drink and drive. If you drink and drive, you're compromising cognitive ability and responsiveness, which increases your risk of hitting someone or having an accident.

Be aware of children. Pedestrian safety for kids can be difficult as they are often impulsive and can dart out in the street at any time. Follow the speed limit and be especially cautious around residential neighborhoods and school zones.

Remember, being aware of your surroundings is important no matter how you get around. Common sense and good judgment can help everyone safely share the road. Safety is a shared responsibility.

Check out this University of Arkansas  Crosswalk Safety video!