Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Enhance Pedestrian Safety on American Roads

The increasing number of pedestrian deaths and injuries on American roads has become a significant concern for lawmakers, leading to the introduction of a bipartisan bill aimed at making high-risk pedestrian crossings safer. The Save Our Pedestrians Act, sponsored by Ohio Representatives Mike Carey and Emilia Sykes, seeks to address this issue by requiring states to allocate a portion of their federal highway safety improvement funds towards projects aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety.

According to data from the Governors Highway Safety Association, the number of pedestrians killed on American roads surged by 77% between 2010 and 2021, while all other traffic deaths rose by 25%. In 2022, an estimated 7,500 pedestrians were killed in crashes, the highest number over the past 40 years. This equates to an average of 20 people per day. The figures for 2023 are not yet available.

The proposed legislation, which was inspired by a CBS News report on the surge of pedestrian deaths and the heartbreaking story of one family’s tragedy, would require states to set aside 5% of their federal highway safety improvement program funds for projects aimed at making high-risk pedestrian crossings safer. This would amount to approximately $100 million annually.

Representative Sykes stated, “As more pedestrians are injured and killed while walking in crosswalks and on streets without sidewalks, the need to find common-sense solutions to allow people to move around our neighborhoods without fear is critical to the quality of life in our communities.” She further emphasized that the legislation would “require states to set aside federal dollars to make our roads safer for everyone – from pedestrians to motorists.”

The legislation focuses on creating safer conditions for pedestrians, but it does not address the types of vehicles that are increasingly responsible for injuries and fatalities. A study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that vans and SUVs with hood heights of 40 inches or higher were 45% more likely to cause fatal pedestrian accidents. Over the past 30 years, American cars have grown bigger, taller, and heavier.

The proposed solutions under the legislation include improving the safety of pedestrian crossings in the middle of the block on multi-lane roads, installing medians between traffic lanes, adding roundabouts to slow traffic, adding protected bike lanes, and constructing sidewalks that offer additional space between the road and the walking path. Individual states would be free to work with local governments to find solutions that fit the issues raised by their communities.

The legislation, which was prompted by a CBS News report on the surge of pedestrian deaths and the story of one family’s tragic accident, aims to make roadways safer for children and families by redesigning crosswalks, roundabouts, sidewalks, and other infrastructure.

In July 2013, 27-year-old Samara Banks, her four sons, and her sister were walking home from a family get-together on Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia when they were struck by two cars that were street racing at nearly 40 mph over the speed limit. The crash killed Banks and three of her young sons. Byrd, Banks’ aunt, expressed her frustration with the design of the 12-lane road and the drivers’ disregard for the speed limit.

Representative Carey stated, “Our legislation will make our roadways safer for children and families by redesigning crosswalks, roundabouts, sidewalks, and other infrastructure.”

The Save Our Pedestrians Act is an important step towards addressing the issue of pedestrian safety on American roads and reducing the number of fatalities and injuries. By requiring states to invest in making high-risk pedestrian crossings safer, this legislation aims to create a safer environment for pedestrians and improve the overall quality of life in communities across the United States.

In conclusion, the Save Our Pedestrians Act is a bipartisan bill aimed at making high-risk pedestrian crossings safer by requiring states to allocate a portion of their federal highway safety improvement program funds towards projects aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety. The legislation was inspired by the surge of pedestrian deaths and injuries on American roads and the tragic story of one family’s accident. By redesigning crosswalks, roundabouts, sidewalks, and other infrastructure, this legislation aims to create a safer environment for pedestrians and improve the overall quality of life in communities across the United States.