Having worked in the traffic safety industry for more than 25 years and having investigated numerous traffic fatalities throughout my career, I feel qualified to offer an educated opinion on today’s pedestrian safety discussion.
The issue becomes very subjective depending on the information provided and can get murky.
Pedestrians are safer if they cross roadways in a location where drivers expect to encounter them. Pedestrians are generally not struck on sidewalks or walkways. When a pedestrian steps off these areas of safety and onto a roadway, their safety diminishes. We should remember that roadways are constructed for vehicles, not pedestrians. You seldom see mixed-use areas where cars and pedestrians commingle, even in slow-posted speed areas pedestrian safety drops. Some of the ideas coming out in this discussion would improve pedestrian and driver safety, but we should remember drivers are also not out to hit pedestrians and it is a tragic event for all when these accidents occur.
Enforcement and education do go hand in hand. A couple thoughts: Pedestrians should cross where drivers expect to encounter pedestrians. (Crossing mid-block on any road is a bad idea). Preventive measures such as barriers, signage, and enforcement all help to educate.
While speed can sometimes be a primary collision factor in these collisions, I would offer distraction as a greater threat to the safety of pedestrians. Take a look next time you are driving on our roadways, and you will get an idea of how many people are on their cellphones. Driving should be the No. 1 focus while driving!
Lighting at most controlled intersections is pretty good, but some additional lighting could always improve safety.
Anchorage police, Anchorage School District, the state Division of Motor Vehicles, parents and friends could all play a role in educating pedestrians and drivers to be attentive. We are a village. Let’s work together for everyone’s safety.
— Dave Ellison
Anchorage
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