MADISON — Everyone has different preferences when it comes to transportation, but at one time or another, everyone is a pedestrian. Pedestrian safety relies on motorists and those on foot to obey traffic laws, stay alert and be mindful of what’s ahead. Walking should always be a safe transportation option. As the season changes from summer to fall, daylight hours will increasingly get shorter, which can make it harder to see pedestrians. It’s important for everyone to keep pedestrian safety top of mind.
In 2023, 45 pedestrians were killed on Wisconsin roads. Nationwide, a pedestrian is injured every eight minutes and killed every 70 minutes in a crash, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Wisconsin State Patrol’s October Law of the Month focuses on eliminating crashes that cause pedestrian injuries and deaths.
“Walking and running are some of the best forms of exercise and transportation— they’re fun, healthy and completely free,” Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan said. “When you’re behind the wheel, keep an extra eye out for pedestrians, especially as our daylight hours become shorter. Small actions can save a life.”
Wisconsin’s pedestrian laws
State laws aim to keep pedestrians safe by creating a protected space to cross streets. Drivers must:
● Yield to pedestrians in a sidewalk, alley or driveway
● Yield to pedestrians who have started crossing at an intersection or crosswalk on a walk signal or a green light
● Yield to pedestrians crossing the highway in a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection where there are no traffic lights or control signals
● Not overtake nor pass a vehicle that stops at an intersection or crosswalk for a pedestrian or bicyclist
Pedestrians are required to:
● Yield to drivers when crossing a road where there is no intersection or crosswalk, or where the pedestrian does not have a walk signal and vehicles have a green signal
● Not suddenly move into the path of a closely approaching vehicle that does not have sufficient time to yield
● Walk on the left side of a road when not on a sidewalk
Keep children safe
October is filled with occasions for the whole family to get outside and walk around, starting with Walk to School Day on October 2 and ending with Halloween. Before heading out, go over safe walking habits with children:
● Always look left, right, then left again before crossing the street
● Wait for vehicles to pass or stop completely before crossing
● In areas with crosswalks, do not cross in the middle of the street; Stay on the sidewalk until reaching a crosswalk
Drivers, remember to keep an extra eye out for children, especially on and around Halloween. Children are often smaller and harder to see, and they are more prone to quickly darting out into the middle of the street. Keep your eyes on the road and reduce speeds through neighborhoods.
White Cane Safety Day
Visual impairment affects over 100,000 Wisconsinites. White Cane Safety Day is a national observance on October 15 of each year that celebrates independence and mobility for people with vision loss. Wisconsin law requires drivers to stop at least 10 feet from someone who is using a white cane or guide dog.
Stay on your toes with these safety tips
We all play a role in making Wisconsin’s roads safe for everyone.
To keep pedestrians safe, drivers should:
● Put the phone down; sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for five seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed
● Obey all posted signs and speed limits; driving a few miles over the speed limit can be the difference between life and death for a pedestrian
● Do not block crosswalks when stopping at intersections
● Take extra care while driving around schools, playgrounds, and neighborhoods, especially at bus stops
● Avoid alcohol and drugs when driving
Pedestrians can take steps to keep themselves safe, too. Always:
● Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals
● Walk on sidewalks whenever available; if there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible
● Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections; if a crosswalk is not available, find a well-lit area with a clear view of traffic and wait for a gap that allows enough time to cross safely
● Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots
● Take extra care at night and at dusk when chances of injury increase; wear reflective clothing or lights to be more visible
Resources and other information about pedestrian safety are available at wisconsindot.gov/Pages/safety/education/pedestrian.
