Every October, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and its division, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), join public safety partners statewide in recognizing National Pedestrian Safety Month and reminding both motorists and pedestrians of the importance of staying safe on Florida’s roads.
“Pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility between both pedestrians and motorists. We urge drivers to stay alert, slow down, and make pedestrian awareness a consistent part of their daily driving,” said FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner. “Pedestrians should also remain attentive and visible when using sidewalks and crosswalks to help ensure everyone gets where they’re going safely.”
“The Florida Highway Patrol strives to promote safe travel for everyone on our roads, pedestrians and motorists included. Throughout October, your Florida State Troopers and public safety partners will be reminding both drivers and pedestrians to stay alert, make safe choices, and do their part to prevent crashes. When everyone stays aware, Florida’s roads become safer for all,” said Florida Highway Patrol Colonel Gary Howze.
The message is about common sense. For pedestrians, use provided sidewalks or walk facing oncoming traffic, cross streets at and within crosswalks or intersections where drivers expect pedestrians, and look for vehicles in all directions, avoid distractions like wearing headphones or earbuds or staring at phones while crossing the street and generally be looking for those vehicles more than 10 times the size of you and moving faster than you.
It’s the same for drivers— look everywhere for everything, follow the speed limit, yield to pedestrians in or entering a cross walk, emergency vehicles, buses, bicyclists, animals, other motorists slowing to turn, and other situations.
And as Halloween approaches in just two weeks, drivers should expect increased pedestrian activity, including children who may be less aware of surrounding traffic. Motorists are urged to stay alert, slow down, and watch for pedestrians in neighborhoods, driveways, and crosswalks to help ensure a safe night for families across Florida.
