Hundreds of pedestrians are hit by vehicles every year in Arizona, and data gathered by ABC15 shows about half of them weren’t in a crosswalk.
The City of Phoenix launched a new "Heads Up! Walk Smart" pedestrian safety campaign this week, where city and Valley Metro workers will be educating bus and light rail passengers. The city will also be placing signs at 10 bus and light rail stops, reminding people to use crosswalks.
These are the 10 locations the city will be targeting:
- 3rd St. & Indian School Rd.
- 16th St. & Southern Ave.
- 7th Ave. & Indian School Rd.
- 19th Ave. & Camelback Rd.
- 19th Ave. & Dunlap
- 19th Ave. & Glendale
- 19th Ave. & Union Hills Drive
- 20th Ave. & Indian School Rd.
- 23rd Ave. & Camelback Rd.
- 27th Ave. & Camelback Rd.
"We've had a high number of pedestrian collisions where they're within 500 feet of the signal lights crosswalk,” said Carl Langford, Traffic Engineering Supervisor with the City of Phoenix.
FULL SECTION: Operation Safe Roads
The Phoenix Police Department is tracking trends and has found more of the crashes are taking place at night, in poorly lit areas.
"You will see more police officers out on the streets, paying attention,” Sgt. Vince Lewis said.
The City of Phoenix lists these tips for pedestrians on its website:
- Stay alert and DON'T walk distracted
- Wear bright, reflective clothing when dark
- Look left, right, and left again (before you enter the roadway)
- Make eye contact with drivers
- Cross the street at designated crosswalks or intersections
- Stay on the sidewalk (when available)
- Read and follow all roadway signs
More than 1,400 pedestrians were hit in Arizona last year, killing 216.
ADOT previously released statistics for vehicle crashes across Arizona in 2017. Take a look at the chart below to see statistics from 2016 and 2017.
