In Your Town. On Your Team.

Request Free Consultation

October is National Pedestrian Safety Month

pedestrian safety

The statistics surrounding road incidents involving pedestrians are a little frightening. Last year in Kentucky, 874 crashes involved pedestrians. Seventy-five pedestrian deaths occurred, and 79% of those deaths occurred after dark.

As part of the larger Better Kentucky Plan, which includes a significant emphasis on highway safety, Governor Andy Beshear has declared October National Pedestrian Safety Month. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s office has asked the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of Highway Safety to partner in promoting National Pedestrian Safety Month. 

October was not selected at random. Daylight saving time makes it darker earlier, and as most pedestrian crash-related fatalities occur at night, it’s the best time to start the conversation with Kentucky about what you can do to be safer as a driver and as a pedestrian. 

Advice for Motorists

Walk Safe Kentucky has outlined eight tips for drivers to be safe when behind the wheel.

  1. No cell phone usage. Put down the phone and pay attention. Distracted driving is risky for all road users.
  2. Always yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and drive cautiously through intersections. 
  3. Be sure your mirrors, windows, and windshields have good visibility.
  4. Follow the posted speed limit to give you the best reaction time possible to brake for pedestrians. 
  5. Drive with your headlights after dark to give yourself more time to see a potential pedestrian. 
  6. Because children are the most difficult pedestrians to see and tend to move in dangerous and unpredictable ways, be especially cautious when driving through neighborhoods and school zones.
  7. The most important, always, is to drive sober and without the influence of drugs. 
  8. Always wear a seat belt to give you the best chance of being protected against severe injury or death. 

Advice for Pedestrians 

Walk Safe Kentucky has also outlined safety tips for pedestrians, whether out on the street for anything from a run to a quick walk.  

  1. Avoid jaywalking and cutting between parked vehicles when possible. Always use crosswalks when available. 
  2. When possible, walk on provided sidewalks. If walking in the street is the only option, walk in the opposite flow of traffic, on the side, so that your back is not to oncoming traffic. 
  3. Remember that traffic signals cannot be blindly followed; motorists may be distracted or have limited visibility. Always visually verify a clear path before crossing. 
  4. Do your part to be visible at night. This could mean carrying a flashlight, wearing reflective clothing, or using fluorescent tape on carried articles such as backpacks or briefcases.
  5. Unless you have made eye contact with the driver, do not assume they can see you, even if your path seems obvious. Wait until the vehicle has passed to walk, even if you know that you have the right of way. 
  6. Don’t walk distracted; put down your cell phone when walking and pay attention. Looking down at a screen changes how you walk and your reaction time. 
  7. Remember that alcohol and drugs may affect your balance, judgment, and reaction time, so use caution if walking while intoxicated. The best plan is to have a safe ride home.

“Motorists and pedestrians share a responsibility to help everyone reach their destination safely.” – Transportation Secretary Jim Gray

Laws & Regulations

As a pedestrian, you are responsible for being aware of the laws laid out by the state of Kentucky. These laws include any pedestrian’s right-of-way while on a sidewalk; when a sidewalk is provided, it is unlawful for any pedestrian to “walk along and upon an adjacent roadway.”

KRS 189.570 (4) also touches on the idea of walking predictably, as recommended above by Walk Safe Kentucky: “No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.”

However, accidents do happen even with the best practices outlined and the laws demonstrating the responsibility of both motorists and pedestrians. A pedestrian accident personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and what you are entitled to as the victim of a crash-related accident. 

Trust McCoy & Sparks—Premier Personal Injury Attorneys in Central Kentucky

If you were a pedestrian struck by a motorist, you have legal rights that we will help protect. 

Recognized as one of Central Kentucky’s best law firms for over a decade and counting, McCoy & Sparks represents thousands of clients in Central Kentucky with a focus on providing premium service. We have the experience to know how to prove negligent driving and hold them accountable to fight for injured pedestrians in need of compensation. Our goal is to develop a strategy that best serves your personal needs to help achieve the best possible outcome. You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Make the right call to (844) 4KY-WINS for a risk-free consultation with one of our right hook bike accident attorneys today.