Some pedestrian crashes are associated with deficient roadway
designs. Pedestrians and motorists often contribute to pedestrian
crashes through a disregard or lack of understanding of laws
and safe driving or walking behavior.6
Because most crashes are a result of
human error, crashes will not be completely eliminated as long as pedestrians
and vehicles share the same space. Yet, the consequences of these crashes
are exacerbated by speeding, failing to yield, or failing to check
both directions for traffic, so new education, enforcement, and engineering
tools are needed to manage the conflict between pedestrians and drivers.
A complete program of pedestrian safety
improvements includes:6,7
- • Provision of pedestrian facilities, such as sidewalks
and crosswalks.
- • Roadway and engineering measures, such as traffic control
devices, lighting, and roadway design strategies implemented on streets
and highways for both pedestrian and vehicular movements.
- • Programs to enforce existing traffic laws and ordinances
for motorists (e.g., obeying speed limits, yielding to pedestrians when
turning, traffic signal compliance, obeying drunk-driving laws) and pedestrians
(e.g., crossing the street at legal crossings, obeying traffic and pedestrian
signals).
- • Wearing of reflective clothing and materials by pedestrians,
and/or using a flashlight when walking at night.
- • Education programs provided to motorists and pedestrians.
Roadway improvements can often reduce the likelihood
of a pedestrian crash. Physical improvements
are most effective when tailored to an individual location
and traffic problem. Factors to consider when choosing
an improvement include: location characteristics, pedestrian
and vehicle volume and types, vehicle
speed, design of a given location, city laws and ordinances,
and financial constraints.6,8
Many of these factors are included for
consideration in the PEDSAFE Selection
Tool.
It is important to remember that overuse or unjustified use of
any traffic control measure is not recommended, since this may breed
disrespect for such devices.9
Although facilities for pedestrians can, in many cases, reduce
the risk of pedestrian collisions, crash reduction is not the only
reason for providing such facilities. Other benefits of pedestrian
facilities include improved access to destinations by walking, better
air quality due to less dependence on driving, and improved personal
health. Traffic and transportation engineers have the responsibility
for providing facilities for all modes of travel, including walking.6
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