Record numbers of pedestrians have been killed by drivers in recent years. The federal government says a "team effort" will be necessary to stop the carnage.
"The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) last week released its first Pedestrian Safety Action Plan," reports Chris Teale.
The plan calls for the Federal Highway Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to "swiftly implement" public education about street safety; "help governments improve the location of pedestrian crossings; and produce a guide on how streetlights can be designed to promote safety for pedestrians," according to Teale.
"Agencies will also identify ways to set appropriate speed limits and reduce speed-related fatalities, and investigate the effect of the use of electronic devices on pedestrian safety."
"The action plan comes as the U.S. continues to wrestle with a growth in pedestrian fatalities on its streets, especially in cities. NHTSA said 17% of all traffic fatalities in 2019 were pedestrians; that year, the administration said 6,205 people were killed, an increase of 44% from 2010."
More details on the Action Plan and the political context for pedestrian safety at the federal level are included in the source article.
FULL STORY: USDOT pushes swift implementation of first pedestrian safety plan
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