Let’s All Pull Together to Share the Roads

When children return to the classroom in this post-pandemic environment, traffic will ramp up again, particularly before the start of each school day and after the final bell rings. Employers can prepare by working with employees to promote safe driving habits to keep the walkways and roadways safe for pedestrians.

You’ve heard it said that sharing is caring, right? Well, if we pull together to share the roads, we can reverse a trend that has resulted in pedestrian traffic injuries and fatalities climbing to their highest levels in 30 years.

Nearly half of pedestrian crash deaths across the U.S. involve alcohol for the driver and/or the pedestrian, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Many of these incidents occur at night and away from intersections.

During the day, everyone is a pedestrian at some point. People walk in their neighborhoods and through parking lots, and escort little ones to the bus before heading off to work. Everyone can benefit from a few simple safety reminders. Post these on a bulletin board at your workplace or share on your company’s intranet as part of a back-to-school pedestrian safety campaign:

Drivers

• Slow down, obey traffic signs and signals
• Avoid distractions; silence your phone and set your GPS device before you depart
• Look out for children and other pedestrians, especially near intersections, parks and schools
• Don’t pass a stopped school bus
• Never drink and drive; impairment slows reaction time and affects judgment

Pedestrians

• Walk on sidewalks and cross at intersections
• Put electronic devices away and stay alert
• Be visible at all times; wear bright clothing during the day and reflective materials at night
• Watch for cars entering or exiting parking lots and driveways
• Know this: Alcohol and drugs lead to impairment and poor decisions in both pedestrians and the drivers who share the road with them

What else can you do? Use our free Safety Huddle sheet to create a safety talk at your location. Get more pedestrian safety materials from NHTSA, including walking safely and driving safely videos.

As the saying goes, safety starts with “S” and begins with you!