There is no winner in a contest between a vehicle and a cyclist or pedestrian! On average, about 100 pedestrians are killed each year in Maryland. It’s hard to fathom that the cost to cross the street could be one’s life, but on average between 95 and 110 pedestrians are killed every year in Maryland.  While in most cases, the pedestrian is found to be at fault, there is an important responsibility for drivers to be vigilant particularly in residential or commercial areas where there is more pedestrian activity.

Statistics

• Pedestrian fatalities comprise about 20 percent of all traffic deaths in Maryland.
• About 12 percent of fatally injured pedestrians are 15 years or younger and another 19 percent are 65 years or older.
• Nearly 3,000 pedestrians are injured annually, more than one-third of which occur in Baltimore City and more than another one-third of which occur in Baltimore, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties.
• Pedestrians 15 years of age and younger are particularly vulnerable to being injured – over 30 percent of injured pedestrians are in this age group.

Prevention Tips

For the Driver

• Stop for pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections – it’s the law.
• Crosswalks exist at all intersections, even when unmarked.
• Slow down, pay attention and obey the posted speed limit.
• Always look out for pedestrians and cyclists, especially before turning
  at a green light or making a “right on red” or “left on solid green.”
• Stay alert and slow down, particularly in residential areas, school zones and commercial areas.  Children, particularly, have not yet developed the cognitive skills to calculate speed and distance.

For the Pedestrian

• Cross the street at marked crosswalks and intersections whenever possible.
• Stop and look left, right, left every time before crossing the street.
• Begin crossing the street on “Walk” signals – never on solid or flashing “Don’t Walk.”
• Use sidewalks. If there are none, walk facing traffic so you see vehicles and drivers see you.
• Make eye contact with drivers so they see you.
• Pedestrians under the influence of drugs or alcohol are at a much higher risk of injury.
• Remember you are your children’s role model. If you do not obey traffic signs or take chances when you are a pedestrian, they probably will follow in your footsteps.
• Stay visible after dark with light-colored or retro-reflective clothing.

For the Child Pedestrian

Young children do not have the skills necessary to access speed and distance, so be drivers should constantly scan roadways for children who may be running across the street, particularly around schools, during school arrival and recess times, and in residential areas.

If you’re a parent of a young child, remind them everyday about the rules of the road:

• Children under the age of 12 should not be allowed to cross the street alone.
• Most crashes happen when children run into the street, darting out between parked cars.
• Children between 5 and 15 are at the greatest risk for pedestrian injuries.
• Parents often think that their children are able to handle traffic safely by themselves before they are actually ready.
• Boys are much more likely than girls to be injured or killed in traffic.
• Most children are hit by cars while playing near home.

Remind children to

• Look left, right, left before crossing the street.  Make sure the street is clear of cars and motorcycles before crossing the street.
• Never play in or near the street.

Pedestrian Safety Laws

• A pedestrian facing a green light may cross the road in any marked or unmarked crosswalk.
• Pedestrians have the right-of-way in crosswalks. However, a pedestrian may not suddenly enter the roadway so that it is impossible for the driver of a vehicle to stop.
• If a pedestrian crosses the road at any point other than at a crosswalk, the pedestrian shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle.

Motorist’s Laws Related to Pedestrians

• The driver of a vehicle shall stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk when the pedestrian is on the driver’s half of the roadway, or when the pedestrian is approaching within one lane of the half of the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling.
• The driver of a vehicle shall not pass another vehicle that is stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
• The driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid hitting any pedestrian. A driver shall drive at an appropriate, reduced speed when any special danger exists as to pedestrians.
• Vehicles facing a circular green signal or turning on a green arrow signal shall yield to any pedestrian lawfully in the adjacent crosswalk.