Pedestrian Safety

Running shoes

Why Pedestrian Safety is a Social Justice Issue

A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control analyzing America's last decade of traffic-related pedestrian deaths reveals the inequitable impacts of the country's "public health epidemic."

May 12, 2013 - DC.Streetsblog

Killers of Bay Area Pedestrians Face Little Consequences

The Bay Area has the nation's third highest rate of pedestrian deaths over the last decade. And one-third of those killed between 2007-11 were in a crosswalk when struck. However most drivers at fault faced no serious consequences.

May 1, 2013 - The Bay Citizen

Supposed Safe Havens Pose Danger to Pedestrians in NYC

A new study conducted by NYU's Langone Medical Center reveals that pedestrians are most often struck by cars in New York's supposed safe havens: in a crosswalk with the signal on their side. Findings related to bicycle safety were also revealed.

April 4, 2013 - The New York Times

Congress Pushes U.S. DOT to Improve Bike and Pedestrian Safety

A bipartisan group of 68 members of the U.S. House have authored a letter to outgoing Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood asking that U.S. DOT develop performance measures that will specifically target the safety of non-motorized users.

March 28, 2013 - Transportation Nation

Are New York's Streets Safe for Pedestrians?

A spate of high profile pedestrian deaths have New Yorkers wondering just how safe it is to traverse their city on foot.

March 11, 2013 - The New York Times

Bike and Ped Safety Signs

U.S. DOT to Develop Its Own Bike and Pedestrian Safety Standards

In news that's sure to please active transportation advocates, outgoing Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced his agency will ditch AASHTO's outdated guidelines and develop its own standards for bicycle and pedestrian safety.

March 3, 2013 - DC.Streetsblog

Meet Mexico City's Pedestrian Protecting Superhero

Sarah Goodyear introduces us to Peatónito, the masked Lucha Libre inspired defender of pedestrians.

March 2, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

To Combat Pedestrian Deaths, Shift Blame from the Victim

With many states witnessing a rise in pedestrian fatalities, David M Nelson asks: "Where is the public outcry to improve safety?" With pedestrians often blamed for such incidents, he argues new laws dealing with pedestrian-vehicle crashes are needed.

February 15, 2013 - PPS Placemaking Blog

3 Simple Ways to Make Streets More Walkable

Although leaders in the Twin Cities seem to agree on the need to improve the appeal of city streets for those on foot, turning those words into actions seems difficult. Bill Lindeke offers three easy solutions that don't involve touching the street.

February 1, 2013 - Streets MN

Vote for America's Worst Intersection

Our friends at Streetsblog are hunting for the worst intersection in America. Help them decide from among a host of qualified entries.

February 1, 2013 - DC.Streetsblog

Are Exterior Airbags the Future of Bike/Ped Safety?

Zak Stone looks at the innovative technologies that Scandinavian companies are developing to improve the safety of the most vulnerable road users.

January 28, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

The Challenge of Bringing Walkability to America's 99 Percent

Kaid Benfield proposes not only more walkable neighborhoods in the United States, where a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle every 7 minutes, but also more walking to reverse the country's alarming obesity trend.

January 17, 2013 - NRDC Switchboard

A Modest Proposal for Protecting L.A.'s Pedestrians

Commentator D.J. Waldie laments the stunning health hazards for L.A.'s pedestrians, and proposes five solutions to make the city safer for those on foot.

January 1, 2013 - KCET

Watch Your Step Tomorrow

Please be careful if you're out walking late tonight and tomorrow: January 1st is the deadliest day of the year for pedestrians. The outlook for drivers isn't much better, writes Sarah Kliff.

December 31, 2012 - The Washington Post

Los Angeles Imports 'Continental' Crosswalks

In what is either a hopeful sign of the increasing prominence of the pedestrian, or a depressing comment on existing level of pedestrian safety, the installation of a crosswalk in downtown Los Angeles this week was big news.

December 19, 2012 - LA.Streetsblog

Toronto: Pay Attention to the Pedestrians

The intersection of Yonge and Harbour is just one example of the dangerous conditions that confront Toronto’s pedestrians daily. Are the police to blame for the city’s lack of pedestrian safety?

November 7, 2012 - The Star

Can New Technologies Make Crosswalks Safer?

Kelly Smith looks at a host of technologies - from thermoplastics to video sensing systems - that local leaders in Minnesota are hoping can make crosswalks safer for pedestrians amid rising incidences of fatalities.

October 10, 2012 - Star Tribune

The Dangers of Biking and Walking in America's Largest Cities

A new study conducted by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute shows that New York and Los Angeles have much higher rates of pedestrian and biking fatalities than the national average.

October 4, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

Atlanta Criminalizes Walking

The high-profile case of Raquel Nelson, who was arrested when her four-year-old son was killed as she attempted to cross the street with him, and another recent episode demonstrate the Atlanta region's abysmal attitude toward pedestrians.

October 3, 2012 - Streetsblog D.C.

What's Driving the Rise in NYC Traffic Deaths?

Despite years of consistent decline, and a variety of efforts aimed at improving safety, traffic fatalities spiked by 23 percent last year in New York City. Matt Flegenheimer examines what may be causing the increase.

September 26, 2012 - The New York Times

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