HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Pedestrian traffic is up and so are pedestrian related accidents. "We're actually seeing more pedestrian vehicle accidents overall as our growth grows from traffic," Don Webster, Community Relations Officer with HEMSI shares. "We went back and looked at some of the data for 2023. We've noticed that we have seen the higher percentage of the accident vehicle versus pedestrians has been along the University corridor, especially between the parkway going west to Jordan lane. There seems to be a higher percentage of accidents with pedestrians versus vehicles."
Pedestrian safety has been an ongoing conversation as the city grows and Webster shares that these accidents could be lowered if pedestrians used the crosswalks. "We looked at it and we've talked to people, the police department about the issue. it's a well-lit area. There are several conveniences stores up and down in that stretch," Webster shares. "So, University Drive you have a crosswalk, but people just don't always adhere to going into the crosswalks. It's a lot easier going to point a to point b versus by way of a cross, you know, a controlled crosswalk."
Unfortunately, that’s not the only stretch of roads seeing these accidents. "If you go from Jordan lane west to about Sparkman Drive, you see a fair amount of pedestrian versus vehicle accidents.," Webster shares. "But again, there's a lot of foot traffic in that area you have a high population of homeless people that walk and work out there generally because they're going to the rescue mission for, you know, sheltering and food. So, we see that sometimes. we've seen a great number of those in 2023."
During pedestrian safety month, HEMSI is asking the public to be safe. " I would like to categorize bicyclists in there because we have a lot of people and it's a great healthy activity for people riding bicycle," Webster shares. "We do encourage people to wear colored clothing or reflective high visibility type clothing."
Motorists have a responsibility too. "People that are operating motor vehicles need to constantly be on the lookout, should be attentive to their driving habits," Webster shares. "If somebody hits a pedestrian or a bicyclist and does injury, then that can go deep, not only for the person, the victim, but it can impair the person is driving."