19 Pedestrian Fatalities: Hampton Roads Safety Push Intensifies

Nineteen pedestrians have died in Hampton Roads so far this year, a tally that accompanies 321 reported injuries. Drive Safe Hampton Roads released these figures on Monday to mark Pedestrian Safety Month. The organization cited the rapid approach of dusk as a primary concern for drivers and walkers alike.

Mary Ann Rayment, who works with the non-profit, noted that the volume of injuries often exceeds the number of deaths. She warned that these injuries can result in lifelong physical damage for victims. Rayment emphasized that while national pedestrian fatalities have risen over the last decade, the current year shows a slight downward trend.

The group attributes this minor improvement to increased awareness and engineering changes. Rayment pointed to the installation of flashing lights and raised crosswalks as key factors in reducing serious crashes. However, she stated that pedestrian-involved collisions are becoming more lethal overall.

A major driver of this trend is the growing presence of light trucks and SUVs on local roads. Studies indicate that these larger vehicles are more likely to kill pedestrians than smaller cars. Rayment stressed that safety is a shared responsibility between drivers and those on foot.

Pedestrians are advised to use crosswalks, look around while walking, and wear bright clothing during nighttime hours. Drivers must stay sober, watch for people on foot, and stop completely at crosswalks. Rayment added that traffic in adjacent lanes should also stop when one lane halts for a pedestrian, as the walker may not be visible to oncoming cars.

With schools back in session and Halloween approaching, Rayment said drivers need to increase their vigilance. She highlighted the presence of children in crosswalks and on sidewalks. "There's a lot of kids in the crosswalks, and we're getting ready to have trick or treating with Halloween," Rayment said.

She noted that young children often lack the judgment to assess traffic safely. "They're little and they're younger, so we need to make sure that we are following speed limits and that we are really aware, particularly in neighborhoods, of where there might be children around," she said.