September is Pedestrian Safety Month and the Sacramento Police Department is supporting efforts to improve pedestrian safety and help reduce crashes and injuries. 

The Sacramento Police Department continues to see a rise in fatal traffic collisions involving pedestrians. This trend began in 2019 where there were 13 fatal collisions involving pedestrians. This number rose to 15 in 2020 and continues to rise this year with 16 fatal collisions involving pedestrians to date.  Our data also shows that pedestrians were at fault over 75% of the time.

Here are some steps that drivers and pedestrians can take to reduce the risk of a collision

Pedestrians

·       Be predictable. Use crosswalks.

·       Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care.

·       Do not walk or run into the path of a vehicle. No vehicle can stop instantly. At 30 m.p.h., a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.

·       Be visible. Make it easy for drivers to see you – wear light colors, reflective material and carry a flashlight, particularly at dawn, dusk or at night.

·       Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see, or when crossing busier streets with more lanes and higher speed limits.

Drivers

·       Follow the speed limit 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.

·       Use hands free devices and never drive distracted.

“The Sacramento Police Department is committed to ensuring safe roadways in our city for vehicles and pedestrians,” said Sgt Ken Collier of the Sacramento Police Department Traffic Enforcement Team. “If you’re walking, be mindful of vehicle traffic and we ask that drivers stay alert for pedestrians.  We should all be looking out for one another.”

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.