The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is working with law enforcement agencies across the state to promote safe behaviors that allow drivers and those on foot to get where they need to go safely.
September is Pedestrian Safety Month, and California continues to see more and more pedestrians getting injured or killed on roads. In 2016, 867 pedestrians were killed and more than 14,000 injured in California alone. A report released earlier this year by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) projected that more than 6,200 pedestrians were killed in the United States last year, the highest number since 1990.
In order to help try to reduce the number of collisions involving pedestrians, the California ABC will be posting safety messages to educate the public about ways they can help increase safety for everyone. In addition, ABC sworn peace officers will be working in communities throughout California to enforce alcoholic beverage laws and educate those they come in contact with about ways to increase safety.
Despite advancements in vehicle technology that increase the chance of survival for drivers and passengers in crashes, pedestrians face the same amount of risk of getting seriously injured or killed when struck by a vehicle.
“Think about how you would want a driver to act when you are walking, and vice-versa. Keep that in mind and follow the rules of the road so we can all arrive where we’re headed safely, regardless of how we get there,” says ABC Director Jacob Appelsmith.
In partnership with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and law enforcement agencies throughout the State, ABC offers steps drivers and pedestrians can take to keep everyone safe:
For Pedestrians:
• Look left-right-left before crossing the street. Watch for cars turning and obey traffic signals.
• Only cross the street in marked crosswalks, preferably crosswalks at stop signs or signals.
• Avoid distractions. Stay off the phone while walking.
• Make eye contact with drivers. Don’t assume drivers can see you.
• Be seen. Wear bright clothing during the day and use a flashlight at night.
• Always walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the shoulder, facing traffic and as far away from cars as possible.
• Do not walk near traffic after drinking or using drugs that affect judgment and coordination.
For Drivers:
• Follow the speed limit. The higher the speed, the longer it takes to stop.
• Never drive distracted or under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
• Look out for people walking, especially at night and in poorly lit areas.
• Pedestrians have the right of way at crosswalks even if they are not at a stop sign or signal. Prepare to stop when a pedestrian enters a crosswalk.
• Avoid blocking the crosswalk when attempting to make a right-hand turn.
• Be careful backing up and leaving parking spaces in shopping centers with heavy foot traffic.
ABC protects communities through education and by administering prevention and enforcement programs designed to increase compliance with California’s alcoholic beverage laws.
• Look left-right-left before crossing the street. Watch for cars turning and obey traffic signals.
• Only cross the street in marked crosswalks, preferably crosswalks at stop signs or signals.
• Pedestrians have the right of way at crosswalks even if they are not at a stop sign or signal. Prepare to stop when a pedestrian enters a crosswalk.
I really don’t care much for pedestrians who jaywalk.
When the pedestrian follows the drivers should too and vice versa.
Those light-up crosswalks in Walnut Creek are great. Often, a driver can’t see a person attempting to cross the street from the opposite side. The lights make drivers slow down and look, then stop if there is someone crossing. Those types of crosswalks should be in every city.
These are great, provided they are operational. I saw a pedestrian almost get mowed down on Broadway because the lights were not working and the driver wasn’t looking for anyone in the crosswalk. People get lazy and rely on the lights instead of really looking for the pedestrians. It is a double edged sword.
Stop. Look. And Listen.
If pedestrians want to be safe while I’m driving they need to stay off the sidewalk
Fantastic they are addressing rules for pedestrians to follow. I see so many people buried in their phones, ignoring to flashing Don’t Walk sign etc
on the flip side there have been studies (I’ll try to post them later) that show increased danger and collisions to pedestrians because they get a false sense of security.
I never did understand that “But I have the right of way” argument I’ve heard from people (particularly when it comes to things like Jaywalking). Having the right of way doesn’t just stop the laws of physics when walking out into traffic or guarantee drivers see you and can react in time.
September is pedestrian safety month, fair game for the other eleven.
Good Luck! Last time I checked you can’t fix stupid.
This is the time of year when all of your senses and all of your blind spots are in good working order.
Hang-up your phone and drive your vehicle..!!
That’s good advice cause listening and paying attention are more important.
or how about putting your phone away BEFORE you walk across the street????????????????????????????????
90% can be solved if people stop jaywalking at night.