Pedestrian Safety

Everyone Is a Pedestrian

At some point in the day, everyone is a pedestrian. Unfortunately, pedestrian injuries and fatalities remain high. In 2022, 7,522 pedestrians were killed and more than 67,000 pedestrians were injured nationwide. NHTSA raises awareness of the dangers to pedestrians and provides tips to keep pedestrians safe.

A pedestrian was killed every 70 minutes in traffic crashes in 2022.

Everyone has different preferences when it comes to transportation, but at one time or another everyone is a pedestrian.

When drivers maintain safe speeds and practice other safe driving behaviors, safer walking environments are created for you, your loved ones and others in your community.

Know the Basics—Pedestrian Safety

8 Safety Tips for Drivers

1. Look out for pedestrians everywhere, at all times.
2. Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or bad weather.
3. Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.
4. Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from the crosswalk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop too.
5. Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing where you can’t see.
6. Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
7. Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street, in school zones and in neighborhoods where children are present.
8. Be extra cautious when backing up and look for pedestrians.

8 Walking Safety Tips

1. Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
2. Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.
3. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
4. Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.
5. If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross.
6. Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots.
7. Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment.
8. Embrace walking as a healthy form of transportation – get up, get out and get moving.

Keeping Your Kids Safe While They Walk

• Prevent Pedestrian Crashes: Parents and Caregivers of Elementary School Children (PDF, 165.61 KB)
  Elementary school children are very active and impulsive. Although they’re learning and growing, school-age children 10 and younger still need guidance and supervision when playing and walking near traffic.
• Five Tips to Keep Your Children Safe on Their Way to and from School
  Strengthen your traffic safety knowledge: Teach and reinforce your children’s pedestrian safety habits.
• A Kid’s Guide to Safe Walking (PDF, 3.04 MB)
  This colorful pamphlet will help you teach young children safety tips for crossing the street and things to remember when walking.
• Tips for Preteens & Teens: Prevent Pedestrian Crashes (PDF, 3.30 MB)
  Remind your preteens and teens that walking around traffic requires the same critical thinking skills as riding a bike or driving a car: Stop, look left-right-left, be safe and be seen.

Walking Safely and Staying Fit as You Age

• Stepping Out as an Older Adult — Be Healthy, Walk Safely
  Share this resource with your aging parents to help them maintain their safety while walking for exercise or running errands.