Pedestrian Safety Starts with You: Stay Alert to Protect People
Walking
October is National Pedestrian Safety Month
City of South Pasadena: October is National Pedestrian Safety Month. The
South Pasadena Police Department would like to remind drivers to slow down and be
alert for people walking on our roads. By always taking extra precautions, you can help
protect pedestrians and reduce the risk of crashes and injuries. Walking should always
be an easy and safe option for getting around any community.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 7,522
pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes across the United States in 2022. In California
alone, 1,158 pedestrians were struck and killed on California roads in 2022, accounting
for 26 percent of all traffic-related fatalities in the state. The high number of pedestrians
injured and killed on our roads highlights the urgent need for increased awareness and
safety measures for people walking.
“Every step we take towards greater pedestrian safety is a step towards saving
lives,” South Pasadena Police Department Lieutenant Shannon Robledo said. “We want
to remind everyone that safety begins with you, whether you’re behind the wheel or on
foot. Small actions, like slowing down, putting away distractions and yielding at
crosswalks, can make a life-saving difference.”
The South Pasadena Police Department offers safe driving and walking tips,
including staying off the phone when behind the wheel or walking.
Drivers
• Do not speed, and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for
pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.
• Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.
• Never drive impaired.
Pedestrians
• Be predictable. Use signalized crosswalks where drivers may anticipate foot
traffic.
• Watch for approaching vehicles and practice due care crossing the street. At 30
mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.
• Make it easier for drivers to see you at night – consider wearing bright colors,
reflective material, or use a flashlight when practical.
• Be careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night or on busier streets
with higher speed limits.
Share your thoughts about pedestrian safety by participating in the Go Safely
Movement, a call-to-action traffic safety survey from the California Office of Traffic
Safety. Take the survey at gosafelyca.org.
