Drivers Urged to Protect Pedestrians
October is National Pedestrian Safety Month, and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is urging drivers to slow down and be alert for pedestrians. Here at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center Campus Police, we are dedicated to pedestrian safety. As our students move between locations on campus, UTHSC Campus Police officers are stationed at major crosswalks to help ensure their safety. We also remind all pedestrians to remain alert and attentive while crossing the streets.
In 2024 in Tennessee, there were 174 non-motorist, pedestrian, or cyclist deaths. This highlights a critical safety issue that impacts everyone.
“In the UTHSC campus community, we want to help ensure that our pedestrians are safe on the sidewalks, crossing the street—anywhere that people walk, they should be able to do so without fear or stress. We urge drivers to take the time to look out for pedestrians, slow down, and incorporate pedestrian awareness into their driving routines,” Chief Anthony Berryhill said.
At some point during the day, everyone is a pedestrian. NHTSA offers these driving tips to keep everyone safe:
- Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions — 77% of pedestrian fatalities in 2023 occurred in the dark.
- Always stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.
- Look out for pedestrians everywhere and minimize blind spots.
- Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing where drivers can’t see.
October is especially timely as more pedestrians will be out towards the end of the month for Halloween. Drivers should be aware that on Halloween evening, there will likely be more pedestrians on the roads and in unexpected places. Families will be trick-or-treating with children who may be unaware of surrounding traffic and quick to dart into the street.
For more information about pedestrian safety, please visit NHTSA.gov/Pedestrian.