FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 25, 2023
Contact: Will Moore, Policy Counsel
858-210-7999 | [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE – Councilmember Stephen Whitburn Declares September “Pedestrian Safety Month.”
SAN DIEGO (September 25, 2023) – The office of San Diego City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn has proclaimed the month of September “Pedestrian Safety Month.”
Councilmember Whitburn joins Circulate San Diego and California Office of Traffic Safety in encouraging everyone on our roads to care for one another and keep pedestrians safe from crashes and injuries.
As he issued the Declaration, Councilmember Whitburn stated:
As we proudly proclaim Pedestrian Safety Month in our district, we emphasize the importance of vigilance, education, and community engagement. Together, we can make our communities safer for all pedestrians, creating a district where everyone can walk and explore our vibrant neighborhoods without worry. We must continue to raise awareness and take meaningful steps towards ensuring pedestrian safety remains a top priority in our city.
Each year, the California Office of Traffic Safety and its partners like Circulate San Diego raise awareness about the safety risks pedestrians face on the road and the simple steps drivers can take to ensure those walking can do so safely and comfortably.
Based on data projections from the Governors Highway Safety Association, 7,508 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the U.S. in 2022, the highest number since 1981. In California, pedestrian deaths account for more than 25% of all traffic deaths – these losses of life are unacceptable and preventable.
“There’s a lot happening on our roads, and everyone deserves to get to their destination safely,” said Circulate San Diego Director of Planning Carlisle Dockery. “Drivers need to be aware of people who are walking. Please slow down and never drive impaired. We all have places to go, so let’s remember that safety is a shared responsibility.”
To keep pedestrians safe, the California Office of Traffic Safety and Circulate San Diego recommend the following simple safety tips for drivers:
1) Follow the speed limit;
2) Slow down at intersections;
3) Give pedestrians a brake at crosswalks and unmarked corners;
4) Be extra careful in less-than-ideal driving conditions such as in the dark, or foggy or rainy weather; and
5) Never drive impaired.
The California Office of Traffic Safety offers more tips and resources at https://gosafelyca.org/.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
###
