Making New Jersey’s roads safer for people walking is a priority year-round, but it’s particularly important in October. While things look different this year, many children have returned to classrooms and are walking and biking to school. And with the sun setting earlier, people commuting by foot or on bike, or just out for recreation after school or work, are now walking and biking as it is getting dark.
This year, for the first time the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has designated October National Pedestrian Safety Month. Street Smart NJ partners with police departments and communities across the state all year, but we always make an extra push in October to remind people to be safe when travelling.
Everyone is a pedestrian. And there are simple measures all drivers can follow to save lives.
- Avoid distractions. If your focus isn’t on the road, you might miss what’s right in front of you and cause a crash. Driver inattention is the leading cause of fatal crashes in New Jersey.
- Stop at stop signs and red lights, and always look for people crossing before turning.
- Drivers must also come to a full stop at green lights and look for people crossing before turning.
- Slow down. Travelling 5 mph over the speed limit may not seem like a big deal, but it can mean the difference between life and death if you crash into a pedestrian.
We also encourage pedestrians to cross were they can be seen — in crosswalks and at intersections.
Working together, we can all help New Jersey reach its goal of zero deaths. To learn more visit our
Safety Tips page.