Twenty-seven pedestrians were injured and two died in Schuylkill County in 2015, state data show.
Data show 4,185 pedestrians were involved in accidents last year. Statewide, 153 pedestrians died last year. Statistics for deaths this year are not available, according to the state Department of Transportation. Two pedestrians were killed June 6 in accidents 10 minutes apart in Schuylkill County.
“Don’t make any assumption that people are going to see you. Be aware of what’s around you,” Rich Kirkpatrick, spokesman for PennDOT, Harrisburg, said Friday.
Motorists also have to be careful. Too often drivers can get distracted and that can be deadly.
“You simply have to stay focused on the road in front of you. ” Kirkpatrick said.
Pottsville Police Chief Richard F. Wojciechowsky said the danger exists for both drivers and pedestrians.
“The biggest thing is dual responsibility,” he said Both the motorists and the pedestrian have a role to play in the safety of each other. In September last year, the police and Pottsville street department were placing signs in areas within the city alerting drivers to look out for and yield to pedestrians. Wojciechowsky said officers have also been issuing warning cards to both pedestrians and drivers to educate them about the issue. Wojciechowsky said those on “Watch 2” duty — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m — as led by Sgt. Mark O’Toole are working with the chief to increase the “awareness to the rules and responsibilities concerning pedestrians in crosswalks.” From the middle to the end of May, 15 warnings have been given out, he said. A total is not yet available for June.
Ron Young, district press officer for PennDOT District 5, Allentown, said pedestrians should always try to walk in a designated crosswalk or intersection.
“Try to make yourself as visible as possible,” Young said Friday.
The Pennsylvania Driver’s License Manual lists rules drivers and others must follow. In a section on pedestrian signals, it says pedestrians must obey traffic and pedestrian signals. It says not to walk if a flashing “don’t walk” signal or hand is displayed on a traffic device unless the pedestrian is already walking. Pedestrians should not cross the street if a “don’t walk” message is displayed.
Statewide last year, 60 people died while entering crossing at specified location, 46 died while walking/running/jogging or playing; four died while working; two died while pushing a vehicle; two died while working on a vehicle; nine died while standing; four while approaching or leaving a vehicle; and 26 pedestrians died by other means, data show. Men were more likely than women to die as pedestrians, 100 to 53.
Of the 153 pedestrian deaths in Pennsylvania in 2015, 69 were in townships, 56 in a city and 28 in a borough or town, PennDOT data show. Those 75 and older accounted for 11.8 percent of those pedestrians who died, followed by those between the age of 50 to 54 years old at 11.1 percent and those between the age of 25 to 29 at 10.5 percent, data show. More pedestrian deaths (95 of 153) occur when it is dark out versus when it is light. A majority of pedestrian deaths, 73.9 percent, occur at areas other than intersections, state data show. Second highest is a four-leg intersection at 17.7 percent. Most of the deaths occurred on state highways other than interstates, at 101 out of 153 deaths, according to state data. Second highest is pedestrian deaths on local roads at 43 out of the 153 last year. Most of the deaths occurred where there was no traffic control device, 123 out of 153 deaths followed by 24 deaths where a traffic signal was nearby.
“Pedestrians could be anywhere,” Kirkpatrick said.