Highway Patrol shares pedestrian safety tips

When motorists and pedestrians are sharing a space, they both have responsibilities in making things safe, according to a press release from Ohio State Highway Patrol Marietta Post Commander Lt. Chris Chesar.

Since 2018, there have been 14,119 pedestrian-related crashes on Ohio's roadways. Of those, 851 were fatal crashes resulting in the deaths of 853 pedestrians.

More than 45% of pedestrians killed in motor vehicle crashes during that time were suspected of being impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Pedestrians were at fault in 33% of pedestrian-related crashes, and at fault in 52% of fatal pedestrian-related crashes.

The state highway patrol offers pedestrians and motorists these guidelines to increase pedestrian safety:

¯ Pedestrians should always use sidewalks when they are provided. It is unlawful for pedestrians to walk along and upon adjacent roadways if sidewalks are available. Where no sidewalk or shoulder exists, pedestrians may walk as close as possible to an outside edge of the road, facing oncoming traffic.

¯ Pedestrians, as well as motorists, should not allow themselves to be distracted by electronic devices that take attention off the roadway.

¯ Pedestrians should wear bright or reflective clothing, especially at night.

¯ Pedestrians should cross where motorists expect them to, follow pedestrian signs and signals and never assume drivers can see them.

¯ Motorists are required to yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and in unmarked crosswalks at intersections.

¯ A motorist can use bright headlights when legally able to illuminate the roadway and possibly spot a pedestrian walking near the roadway.

¯ Motorists should slow down and drive cautiously in residential areas.

A traffic safety bulletin issued by the state highway patrol provided additional statistics broken down by OSHP districts. There were 313 pedestrian-related crashes from 2018 to 2023 YTD in OSHP District 7, which includes Washington, Monroe, Noble, Morgan and five other counties.

While only 2% of all crash injuries during that time period were the result of pedestrian-related crashes, 13% of all fatalities could be attributed to those incidents.

Seventy-seven percent of fatal pedestrian-related crashes took place in urban areas.

Franklin (2,749), Cuyahoga (2,282) and Hamilton (2,177) counties had the most pedestrian-related crashes since 2018. Altogether, those three counties accounted for 51% of those types of crashes.