The Baltimore County Fire and Police Departments respond to more than 400 pedestrian-vehicle crashes each year. One of the most recent pedestrian fatalities in the northwest took place on Dec. 27 in Owings Mills when a 16-year Milford Mill high school student was struck by a car while crossing Lakeside Boulevard. On Oct. 20 on Security Boulevard near Gwynn Oak in Windsor, a vehicle hit a 56-year-old woman who was crossing the street, but accordingly to police, not doing so in a crosswalk. A man was injured in the same accident. Recognizing that there are misconceptions about pedestrian accidents, the Police and Fire Department offered these facts:
How Pedestrians Can Avoid Injury
- 80 percent of pedestrian crashes are the fault of the pedestrian
- 60 percent of pedestrians killed are adults over age 40
- Every day someone is hurt or killed crossing the street in Baltimore County
The Walk Safe campaign aims to educate citizens on the traffic laws that apply to pedestrians, and the specific dangers associated with crossing illegally or while distracted. The following resources will help you avoid injury as a pedestrian, and make the roads safer for pedestrians when you’re driving.
Tips for Walking Safely
Just as drivers are expected to avoid distractions, it’s important for pedestrians to do the same. Time of day is also an important factor in these crashes, as the majority of pedestrian crashes happen between 3 and 10 p.m.
Here are a few simple safety precautions you can take while walking:
- Always cross at traffic lights, marked crosswalks or intersections.
- Obey traffic signals at all times. Don’t attempt to cross if the signal tells you to stop.
- Stay alert when crossing. Even when the signal says WALK, you should check that the path is clear.
- Try to make eye contact with drivers before stepping off the curb.
- Walk on the sidewalk whenever possible. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the side of the road, facing traffic.
- Wear bright or reflective clothing at night.
- Avoid distraction when crossing. Turn off headphones and put away your cell phone before crossing
Know the Law
- At an intersection, a pedestrian is subject to all traffic control signals.
- If a pedestrian crosses a roadway at any point other than in a marked crosswalk or in an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, the pedestrian shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching on the roadway.
Laws for Motorists Around Pedestrians
- The driver of a vehicle must stop for a pedestrian at crosswalks and intersections without signals when the pedestrian is on the half of the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling OR the pedestrian is approaching within one lane of the half of the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling.
- The driver of a vehicle must stop for a pedestrian at intersections with signals.
- When proceeding on a green signal, drivers turning right or left shall yield the right of way to pedestrians lawfully within the crosswalk.
When turning right on red after stopping, drivers shall yield the right of way to pedestrians lawfully within the crosswalk.
For the full details about the law regarding pedestrians and motorists, resources and other information, visit baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/fire/
–Baltimore County Fire Department