October is National Pedestrian Safety Month!
In 2022, pedestrian fatalities accounted for 18% of all traffic fatalities that year. That same year, there were 1,207 pedestrian deaths and injuries in the central Puget Sound region.
This month, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is urging drivers to slow down and be alert for pedestrians and practice road safety. The NHTSA is also encouraging local communities to schedule safety events, spread the word about safe road use and urge communities to adopt the Safe Systems Approach to their local comprehensive plans.
PSRC is playing its role in pedestrian safety by collaborating with local communities and elected officials to develop a Regional Safety Action Plan. The plan will:
- Establish and foster a regional culture of safety with a focus on protecting vulnerable roadway users and communities.
- Improve transportation safety through research, analysis, and public engagement, emphasizing a Safe System Approach.
- Identify safety issues and proven strategies to address dangerous conditions.
- Focus funding on effective traffic safety solutions.
- Support the development of local safety action plans.
- Inform PSRC’s competitive project selection processes and future regional transportation plans.
Residents still have time to share their voices and make an impact on the Regional Safety Action Plan. Visit PSRC’s Engagement Hub before October 15 to comment and provide insights into traffic safety in your community.