Bipartisan bill aims to make it safer for pedestrians to cross dangerous streets

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CBS News

February 20, 2024 / 3:45 PM EST


A bill that aims to make it safer to cross busy, dangerous roads and avert rising pedestrian deaths and injuries by requiring states invest in making streets safer is being introduced in Congress on Tuesday by two Ohio lawmakers.

The Save Our Pedestrians Act, introduced by Ohio Reps. Mike Carey, a Republican, and Emilia Sykes, a Democrat, would require that 5% of all funding given to states through the Highway Safety Improvement Program be used for projects aimed at making high-risk pedestrian crossings safer, setting aside about $100 million annually.

"As more pedestrians are injured and killed while walking in crosswalks and on streets without sidewalks, the need to find common-sense solutions to allow people to move around our neighborhoods without fear is critical to the quality of life in our communities," Sykes said in a statement to CBS News. She said the legislation would "require states to set aside federal dollars to make our roads safer for everyone — from pedestrians to motorists."

The number of pedestrians killed on America's roads surged 77% between 2010 and 2021, as all other traffic deaths rose by 25%, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. The group estimates more than 7,500 pedestrians were killed in crashes in 2022, the highest number over 40 years, since 1981. That's an average of 20 people per day. The figures for 2023 are not yet available.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/save-our-pedestrians-act-mike-carey-emilia-sykes-dangerous-streets/

[AllaN01Bear]

1. i feel a lot of drivers need to go back to drivers ed for a refresher. this is a good start.

friend of mine is huge , 6 foot at 300lbs and drives a huge power scooter to boot. he was halfway into the intersections on the green and someone nearly ran into him. i didnt see u ? how could u not miss me , so he blocked the intersection. my health care worker drives a 1969 suburban and that is 1 heap large truck. someone nearly ran into him" common excuse was " i didnt see u. hem please also inforce existing laws .

[I_UndergroundPanther]

2. After

Being hit by a car when a pedestrian where I had to relearn how to walk(its harder than you think) this has been too long in coming. Good somethings being done to make things walkable.

[Novara]

3. I hope my city uses the money to plow the sidewalks.

Around here in the winter people walk in the streets because the sidewalks are not cleared of ice and snow.

Five years ago I fell on an icy city sidewalk and shattered my wrist. I suppose I should have been walking in the street? I had to have two surgeries and wore a cast and/or brace for nearly six months.