Eighty-nine fatal crashes involving pedestrians occurred in Ohio in 2014, with nearly half of them occurring during the final quarter of the year. Therefore, in an effort to reduce pedestrian-related crashes and improve pedestrian safety, officers from the Columbus police department are making it a point to crack down on jaywalking. Jaywalking, which is when a pedestrian crosses a street at a non-designated crosswalk, is a primary cause of fatal pedestrian accidents. It's the hope of the Columbus police department, as well as the health department, to reduce the number of pedestrian fatalities in Ohio each year.
Pedestrian Safety Blitz In Columbus
Historically, more accidents involving pedestrians occur during the fall. Shorter daylight hours and reduced visibility are factors in many such accidents. To enforce the city's traffic laws and to educate pedestrians, officers and representatives from the Columbus health department conducted a blitz on November 10, 2015. Motorcycle officers were positioned at various downtown intersections for hours on end, monitoring for jaywalking and vehicle infractions involving failure to yield to pedestrians. Concurrently, health department representatives passed out informative pamphlets regarding pedestrian safety.Pedestrians At Risk
While all pedestrians are at risk of being involved in a traffic accident, certain groups are at an elevated risk:- Pedestrian deaths tend to increase with age; the older you are, the higher your risk.
- Pedestrians who are legally drunk; 34% of all pedestrians who died in traffic accidents in 2012 had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher.
- Pedestrians ages 15 to 29 are treated for traffic-related injuries in emergency rooms more often than any other age group.
- Pedestrians who are male are more likely to be injured or killed in a traffic accident than females.
Safety Tips For Pedestrians
- Always cross at crosswalks and intersections; jaywalking is an illegal and dangerous practice.
- Help motorists see you by wearing reflective clothing and using flashlights during dawn or dust hours and after dark.
- Always walk on a sidewalk if available; if there is no sidewalk, keep to the shoulder and walk facing traffic.
