Preventing pedestrian crashes is easy if we all use common sense.  Did you know that in Delaware

, the average age range of pedestrians killed is between 20 and 54?  There are several primary factors in our state's pedestrian deaths, including:

• alcohol use on the part of the pedestrian
• pedestrian walking in the roadway
• pedestrian crossing outside of crosswalks
• pedestrian crossing the road at night wearing dark clothing

But motorists also have a responsibility to share the road safely and be on the lookout for pedestrians.

 Know the following pedestrian laws and tips:

• It’s illegal to walk under the influence of alcohol and or drugs
• It’s also illegal to hitchhike
• Motorists must yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks
• Motorists should actively look for pedestrians in neighborhoods, intense urban areas and the beach towns
• Pedestrians must cross at intersections when possible – and if they’re crossing outside of an intersection, they must yield the right-of-way to motorists
• If you can’t walk on a sidewalk, you must walk facing traffic…and walk as far off the edge as possible
• When walking at night you must carry a flashlight or other reflective item

Pedestrian injuries tend to occur to younger children ages 5 – 19. Motorists in neighborhoods should be on the lookout for kids who might dart out mid block or dart out to get balls or other items without paying attention. Parents should not allow children to cross the street on their own until they’ve practiced the basics with them hundreds of times Kids should stop at the edge of the curb or any object in the roadway (like a car) and look left, right, and left again before crossing Once you start crossing the street, keep looking from side to side until you’ve made it across safely Never blindly run out into the road

.For more information read our Pedestrian Safety Handout

Bicycle crash injuries and fatalities are preventable by following a few simple rules of bicycle riding: Always wear a bicycle helmet, Wear clothes to make you visible, Avoid biking at night, Stay alert, and follow the Flow of traffic while riding on a street. Remember to use your head and stay safe! 

Although Delaware has relatively low bicycle fatalities, pedestrian injuries most often occur to children ages 10 - 14. These young people are often not wearing helmets as required by state law.

Statistics:

Total	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
Pedestrian Fatalities	18	17	10	27	17
Pedestrian Injuries	222	255	210	269	TBA
Bicyclists Fatalities	2	3	2	4	0
Bicyclists Injuries	100	101	86	119	TBA