Pedestrian and driving safety initiatives highlighted during safety awareness month

Various organizations are emphasizing road and pedestrian safety during October, which marks Pedestrian Safety Awareness Month.

At the University of Maryland, the Department of Transportation Services (DOTS) held events to promote safe driving and road navigation. Initiatives included distributing safety gear like helmets and tire patch kits, alongside a safety pledge for responsible vehicle operation. While DOTS highlighted robust training regimens for Shuttle-UM drivers and the use of multilingual signage to navigate construction zones, some students expressed concerns regarding pedestrian awareness and the tendency of individuals to cross streets without looking.

In Delaware, the Office of Highway Safety issued reminders for drivers to exercise caution ahead of Halloween. To mitigate risks for children trick-or-treating after dark, officials recommended using glow sticks, reflective tape, and light-colored clothing to increase visibility. The Delaware Office of Highway Safety noted that according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 17% of children aged 14 and younger killed in traffic crashes in 2024 were pedestrians, with 76% of pedestrian fatalities occurring in the dark.