Traffic safety is top summer concern

The Delaware Office of Highway Safety launched its Pedestrian Safety at the Beach Campaign June 4 at the Sussex Family YMCA. With traffic increasing as the summer gets underway, state officials say pedestrian safety is a major concern. 

The primary focus of the campaign is to educate the public and raise awareness of the dangers of walking and cycling on busy roadways. Jana Simpler, director of the OHS, said  there were 34 pedestrian fatalities in 2017, an increase from 27 in 2016.

Robert M. Coupe, secretary for the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, said 29 percent of all Delaware fatalities in 2017 were traffic-related. Simpler, as well as the other speakers, emphasized the importance of adopting safe habits, such as using crosswalks, carrying flashlights at night and wearing bright, reflective clothing. OHS has also kicked off a paid media campaign using advertisements on buses, television, social media, and even on lifeguard stands. Street teams will engage with pedestrians and provide reflective wristbands to enhance pedestrian visibility. Officials advised avoiding roadways where vehicles travel at a high rate of speed, noting a person struck by a car going over 35 mph has an 85 percent chance of being killed. 

Rehoboth Beach Police Chief Keith W. Banks warned against texting and driving, traveling at unsafe speeds, failing to yield, and jaywalking, saying all of those behaviors contribute to accidents.  “Always be aware and share the road responsibly,” he said.