South Lake Tahoe, CA. – October is National Pedestrian Safety Month and the South Lake Tahoe Police Department encourages the public to remember that everyone is a pedestrian.
The number of pedestrians killed has grown by about 50% over the past decade, with 6,283 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes nationwide in 2018, or one traffic-related pedestrian death every 84 minutes.
Excess speed, poor lighting, crossing outside crosswalks and impairment are the main factors that lead to a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle.
The South Lake Tahoe Police Department offers the following tips for drivers and pedestrians:
Drivers
- Slow down on busy streets and intersections.
- Always look for pedestrians in intersections. Stop and allow pedestrians to cross. Pedestrians have the right-of-way at all marked or unmarked crosswalks.
- Stay off the phone and avoid other distracting behaviors such as eating, grooming, or using in-dash touch screens.
- Do your best to not block crosswalks making a right-hand turn.
- Keep headlights on at night and be extra careful when pedestrians are harder to see.
Pedestrians
- Obey signs and signals. Try to cross at marked crosswalks, preferably at stop signs or signals where cars expect to see pedestrians.
- Make eye contact and nod or wave at drivers. A quick nod or wave is an easy way to let a driver know you see them, and they see you.
- Get in the habit of walking with a flashlight or wearing a reflective vest at night so it is easier for drivers to spot you.
- Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
