Pedestrian deaths are trending up in Louisiana, and walkers and drivers must watch out for each other to keep citizens safe, a coalition of safety advocates and athletes said Wednesday at a Louisiana Highway Safety Commission news conference.
In the last 10 years in Louisiana, pedestrian fatalities have outnumbered motor vehicle passenger fatalities, LHSC Executive Director Lisa Freeman said. Even as the overall number of traffic fatalities is trending downward, pedestrian deaths are rising.
“Too many pedestrians are dying in Louisiana, plain and simple,” Freeman said. “Ordinary citizens just trying to get from point A to point B are getting killed at an alarming rate.”
Joining Freeman at the news conference at the LSU Lod Cook Alumni Center were:
- Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Glenn Ledet, Jr.
- Louisiana State Police Troop A Commander Capt. Bryan Lee
- LSU Athletics Hall of Fame member and former Tiger basketball star Rudy Macklin
- World-class runner, business owner, and pedestrian safety advocate Jenni Peters
In 2023, 147 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes in Louisiana, according to the Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety at LSU. That represented more than the number of motorcyclists and bicyclists killed in the state.
“As you know, pedestrian safety is not just a traffic concern, it’s a public health, equity, and quality of life issue for all of our communities across Louisiana,” Ledet said. “Whether we’re walking to school, to work, to the store, or simply enjoying our neighborhood, everyone deserves to feel safe crossing the street.”
Capt. Lee challenged motorists “to slow down, put the phones away, expect to see pedestrians on the road, especially at night…I want to challenge the pedestrians to protect themselves, to use crosswalks, wear reflective clothing, walk facing traffic, follow traffic signals, avoid distractions while you’re walking, don’t walk while you’re impaired.”
Peters said walking toward traffic is important for walkers and runners because “you’ve got to see what’s coming at you to avoid it. It’s a really scary feeling when cars are coming up to you from behind.”
Peters also encouraged pedestrians to use “passive lighting,” which she described as lighting designed to be seen rather than lighting to help a pedestrian’s line of site. She suggested lights that blink and can be applied to a belt and lighted safety vests that change color.
It’s harder for a driver to see pedestrians than cars and trucks, so walkers should take these precautions before walking in a roadway:
- Always walk in the travel lane toward traffic to see oncoming vehicles.
- Keep your eyes up and your attention on the road; don’t text, post, or use the phone while you’re walking.
- Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially if walking at night.
- Do not walk if you’ve been drinking. Nationally, 46% of pedestrians who were killed in 2023 had been drinking.
Macklin noted that twice as many male pedestrians are killed than female pedestrians every year. “I don’t know what it is about us men,” Macklin said. “I guess we feel like we’ve got to outrun a car, out-dodge a car.”
Macklin also encouraged organizers of “run-walk” charity events “to remind people of pedestrian safety” by distributing information or including a booth staffed with safety experts.
Freeman emphasized that pedestrians –– along with bicyclists and motorcyclists –– also have a right to the road.
“Share the road is not just a catchphrase, it’s the law. It’s also the right thing to do,” Freeman said. “Sharing the road begins with the understanding that walkers, and runners, and bicyclists have the same rights as all of us.”
Tips for drivers include:
- Watch for pedestrians –– including children –– when driving past a row of parked cars.
- Stay off the cellphone –– a pedestrian can walk in front of your vehicle in the time it takes to read a short text message.
- Never drink and drive.
