Vision Zero Houston joins the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to spread the word about National Pedestrian Safety Month every October.

In 2022, Houston lost 323 people in a traffic crash, and nearly 1,600 people were seriously injured. Pedestrians were 115 of those people representing 36% of traffic deaths and 16% of serious injuries. For more detailed information, see the Annual Report 2022 at www.visionzerohouston.com.

The City of Houston adopted Vision Zero in 2019 with the commitment to achieving the goal of zero fatalities and serious injuries by 2030. In 2022, the City of Houston constructed 214 new accessible curb ramps and 6 miles of sidewalk, 20 miles of bikeways, and four of twelve City of Houston projects with street safety improvements were in Complete Communities or communities with a Social Vulnerability Index, showing the commitment to equity, access, and connectivity to the most vulnerable road users: Pedestrians and Bikers. To celebrate this month, take into consideration the following tips:

For Pedestrians:

1. Follow signs and signals. Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available and barrier-free.
2. If there is no sidewalk, or if a sidewalk is inaccessible, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
3. Always keep alert; don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes (and ears) off the road.
4. Whenever possible, cross streets at crosswalks or intersections, and look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.
5. If a crosswalk or well-lit area is not accessible, please monitor for a long, clear opening in traffic before crossing the street.
6. Drinking and drugs can impair your judgment; consume responsibly.

For Drivers:

1. Look out for pedestrians everywhere, always.
2. Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions such as nighttime or bad weather. Stop for pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from the crosswalk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop too.
3. Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk - there may be people crossing that you can’t see. Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
4. Follow slower speed limits in school zones and in neighborhoods where children are present.
5. Be extra cautious and double-check your surroundings when backing up.

Help us to increase awareness about how we can combat pedestrian crashes in our communities.

For more information about pedestrian safety, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety.

Everyone deserves safe, accessible streets and sidewalks. That’s why Houston is committed to ending traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030. We can prevent people from dying on our roadways.

No loss of life is acceptable. Vision Zero Houston prioritizes safety and accessibility in street design for people of all ages and abilities.