Sep 3, 2020

Go Safely California: September is Pedestrian Safety Month

ABC joins other safety organizations in campaign to keep pedestrians safe

Sacramento – September is Pedestrian Safety Month and the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is working with local law enforcement agencies across the state to promote safe behaviors that allow drivers and those on foot to get where they need to go safely.

While the COVID-19 pandemic and wildfire emergencies have had an impact on Californians, the safety of pedestrians remains a cause for concern. Since 2009, the number of pedestrians getting injured or killed on California roads has increased dramatically, accounting for nearly 25 percent of all roadway deaths. A report released earlier this year by the Governors Highway Association (GHSA) projected that pedestrian deaths in 2019 reached the highest point in more than 30 years.

In order to help try to reduce the number of collisions involving pedestrians, the California ABC will be posting safety messages on social media (Twitter and Facebook) to educate the public about ways they can help increase safety for everyone. In addition, ABC Agents will be working in communities throughout California to enforce alcoholic beverage laws and educate those they come in contact with about ways to increase safety.

“We must always keep pedestrians in mind when following the rules of the road, so we can all arrive where we’re headed safely, regardless of how we get there,” says ABC Director Eric Hirata.

In partnership with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and local law enforcement agencies throughout the State, ABC offers steps drivers and pedestrians can take to keep everyone safe:

Pedestrians

  • Ditch the distractions. Keep your eyes up and phones down, especially when crossing the street.
  • Always use marked crosswalks, preferably at stop signs or signals. 
  • 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.
  • Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see. Get in the habit of walking with a flashlight or wearing a reflective vest so it is easier for drivers to spot you.
  • If you need to briefly walk into the street to maintain social distancing on sidewalks, remember to look both ways for cars.

Drivers

  • Slow down on busy streets and at intersections.
  • Avoid distractions, which includes cell phones, eating, using in-dash touch screens, or turning to talk to passengers.
  • Be extra careful approaching crosswalks. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians. Stop prior to the crosswalk.
  • Try to avoid blocking the crosswalk when making a right-hand turn. 
  • Have your headlights on and slow down at night when pedestrians are difficult to see.

ABC protects communities through education and by administering prevention and enforcement programs designed to increase compliance with California’s alcoholic beverage laws. To learn more about ABC programs that help protect communities and prevent alcohol-related harm visit ABC enforcement programs or ABC prevention.

ABC is a Department of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.

Contact

Additional information may be obtained by contacting:

Public Information Office
3927 Lennane Drive, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95834
Email: pio@abc.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 419-2525

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