In an average year in Utah, automobiles will kill 40 pedestrians and injure 1,080 pedestrians. School age youth are at most risk for being struck by an automobile as a pedestrian.  In Utah, pedestrians ages 19 and under account for over one-half of the pedestrians struck by an automobile and over one-third of the pedestrian deaths in Utah. 

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The pedestrian safety program “It’s Up To You To Cross Alive” teaches children (ages 5 to 16) how to cross the street defensively. It teaches children how to cross safely and emphasizes pedestrian responsibility.  The program originated in West Valley City and has been distributed throughout the state to elementary and middle schools, driver education classes, senior citizen groups, and others.  There were many partners involved in the project, including local and state agencies, school personnel, private industry, and many volunteer citizens.  The program objectives were to:

• Reduce the number of automobile crashes involving young pedestrians;

• Educate children between the ages of 5 and 16 about being a defensive pedestrian;

• Teach children about the dangers of crossing the street; and

• Involve parents in educating children about pedestrian safety.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

This program, which emphasizes pedestrian responsibility in crossing streets, includes the following elements:

• An educational video demonstrates both pedestrian and driver points of view.  Topics include the reasons that drivers might not see pedestrians (headlight blindness, the hidden vehicle, driver’s blind spot, racing a light, sunlight in drivers’ eyes, hazardous conditions, and distractions in the car) and safety tips for pedestrians (such as beware of the hidden vehicle or press crosswalk button for more time).

• An audiocassette contains the theme song. By listening to the music often, the message will stick in students’ minds better and longer.

• Brightly colored posters stress the slogans in the video as reminders of pedestrian responsibility.

• Educational materials contain safety tips and discussion ideas for teachers.

• Parental brochures present discussion ideas for parents to talk to children about pedestrian safety.

The program will soon be translated into Spanish.

RESULTS

The pedestrian safety program was:

• Distributed to 35 driver education programs throughout the state.

• Distributed to over 140 elementary and 35 middle schools in Salt Lake County, and another 300 elementary and 90 middle schools throughout the state.

• Distributed to over 30 senior citizens, churches, and other groups.