In the face of an alarming increase in pedestrian deaths, September has been marked as Pedestrian Safety Month in California. The need for collective action is evident as data projections from the Governors Highway Safety Association revealed 7,508 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the US in 2022, the highest number since 1981 via the City of Hayward. In California, a staggering 25% of all traffic deaths involved pedestrians.
The Hayward Police Department is committed to turning the tide against this unsettling upward trend. Encouraging the "safety is a shared responsibility" mantra, Hayward Police Department Officer Josh Cannon reminds everyone to take action to prevent further crashes and injuries on our roads.
As part of their efforts to enhance pedestrian safety, the Hayward Police Department is focusing on enforcing rules in areas with the most dangerous driving behaviors, such as speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield, and running stop signs or signals. This increased enforcement is made possible through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, which is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
There are several steps each of us can take to improve safety on our roads. The Hayward Police Department has provided some valuable tips for both drivers and pedestrians. For drivers, basic safe driving practices include slowing down, refraining from blocking crosswalks, never driving impaired, and paying attention at intersections. For pedestrians, it is crucial to be aware of the environment; for instance, using signalized crosswalks, wearing light and reflective clothing at night, and carrying a flashlight to increase visibility. Moreover, pedestrians should take extra precautions when crossing streets that have higher speed limits or heavy traffic volumes.
Recognizing the importance of public engagement, California's Office of Traffic Safety has launched the "Go Safely Movement," a traffic safety survey open to everyone. It's encouraging individuals to share their thoughts about pedestrian safety, which can be submitted by taking the survey at gosafelyca.org.
As California's Pedestrian Safety Month commences, let's strive to lower these sobering statistics by adopting safe driving and walking habits.
