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Pedestrian Safety

Connecticut. December, 2017. During a one-week period, there are 9 serious crashes involving pedestrians resulting in 8 deaths. Our roads are not just for motorized vehicles. Walking, jogging, bicycling, scootering and skating are also modes of transportation that rely on Connecticut’s roadways. At one time or another everyone is a pedestrian, and everyone deserves to get where they are going safely.

Unfortunately, pedestrian injuries and fatalities have risen dramatically in recent years and remain high. Most crashes involving pedestrians are due to unsafe motor vehicle habits like driving distracted, driving impaired and speeding. Continued increases in these types of behavior are contributing to increases in dangers for pedestrians. And when pedestrians are hit by a vehicle, they are almost always seriously injured or killed. As vehicles get larger and larger, the chances of walking away from a crash get smaller and smaller.

In 2022, 7,522 pedestrians were killed and more than 67,000 pedestrians were injured nationwide.

• In 2023 in Connecticut, there were 1,474 crashes involving pedestrians with 180 serious injuries and 64 deaths.
• Compared to just 5 years ago, pedestrian fatalities in Connecticut have risen dramatically.

*pedestrians include bicyclists

Yielding to Pedestrians at Crosswalks

A driver must yield to pedestrians if the pedestrian is within any portion of the crosswalk or if that pedestrian indicates intent to cross by raising a hand or moving into the crosswalk entrance. Drivers who fail to yield at a crosswalk when required are subject to a $500 fine. When violations result in crashes and fatalities, there can be more substantial penalties and even criminal charges.

Dooring

This law prohibits a person opening a car door or leaving a car door open longer than needed so that it makes contact with a pedestrian or bicyclist on a sidewalk, shoulder or bikeway. Violations of this provision are infractions.

Drive to Save Lives – What We’re Doing

The CTDOT provides a grant for CT Children's Medical Center’s Injury Prevention Center to fund the Watch for Me CT program. Watch for Me CT aims to increase the awareness of pedestrian and bicyclist safety issues and educate road users on the shared responsibility of staying safe on the roads.

• Public service messages on television, radio, internet, billboards and bus panels.
• To supplement paid advertising, we garner significant press coverage through frequent press conferences and news releases.
• Public outreach at sporting and concert venues, health and safety fairs and civic organizations reaches the public in person.
• Educational materials for leaders such as government staff, pedestrian and bicycle advocates, city planners, law enforcement agencies, engineers, public health professionals, the media, influencers, elected officials, parents and educators.
• HSO leaders also work with state legislators to promote stronger laws and penalties around pedestrian safety.

Ghost Shoes

The current pedestrian safety campaign is centered around Ghost Shoes - roadside memorials that tell the stories of real people killed while walking, jogging or riding a bicycle.

Drive to Save Lives – What You Can Do