Police Urge Drivers to Slow Down, Watch for Pedestrians During National Safety Month

Drivers in Pasadena are being urged to slow down and stay alert for pedestrians during October, which marks National Pedestrian Safety Month, according to a Pasadena Police Department press release issued Monday.

The reminder comes as pedestrian fatalities remain a serious concern nationwide and in California, where 1,106 pedestrians were struck and killed in 2023, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“In Pasadena, walking should always be an easy and safe option for getting around,” Pasadena Police Lt. Anthony Russo said in the statement. “We want to make sure that people walking are safe. We urge drivers to take the time to look out for people. Small actions, like slowing down, putting away distractions and yielding at crosswalks, can reduce crashes and serious injuries.”

Nationally, a pedestrian is killed every 72 minutes and one is injured every eight minutes in traffic crashes, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data cited in the press release.

The department stressed that vehicle speed significantly impacts pedestrian safety. A difference of just 15 mph — from 20 mph to 35 mph — substantially increases the likelihood that a pedestrian struck by a vehicle will be killed, according to the release.

The Pasadena Police Department will participate in National Walk and Roll to School Day on Oct. 8 and will conduct a traffic safety operation on Oct. 24 focused on dangerous driver behaviors including speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield and running stop signs or signals.

The department’s safety tips for drivers include following speed limits, especially around people on the street, around schools and in neighborhoods where children are present; using extra caution in low-visibility conditions; driving sober; stopping for people in crosswalks and avoiding blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn; and avoiding distractions such as texting or eating while driving.

Funding for the program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, according to the city.