Pedestrian Safety Awareness
Like so many of you, I find myself taking more walks in my neighborhood this year. October in Chicago is beautiful, so I take every chance I get to take a walk to my neighborhood park, grab a cup of coffee, or walk along the lake path. On these walks I encounter a variety of safety markers that help alert motorists to be aware of pedestrians so that we can safely share these spaces.
Our roads are shared by motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians, so it’s critical that safety measures are taken to keep this space as safe as possible. Unfortunately, deadly crashes involving pedestrians are on the rise in the US. In 2018 6,283 pedestrians were killed in crashes; that’s a 3.4% increase in pedestrian fatalities from 2017, with the majority of those crashes happening in the dark. Because of these startling statistics, the US Department of Transportation named October Pedestrian Safety Month to raise awareness around this safety issue.
It is our mission to make roads safer for pedestrians around the world. From our fluorescent sign sheeting to our pre-striped ADA Barricade sheeting, our products help bring pedestrians home safely.
How Does Reflective Sheeting Improve Pedestrian Safety?
Fluorescent Crosswalk Signs
The most recognizable reflective solution for pedestrian safety is the crosswalk sign. Crosswalk signs are used at intersections and crosswalks where pedestrians may be present and near school zones where you’d expect children. These signs are used to alert motorists to watch for crossing pedestrians and provide pedestrians a guide of where to safely cross the street. Fluorescent yellow or fluorescent yellow-green sheeting is chosen for its high visibility during dawn and dusk. Fluorescent sheeting makes a static sign more dynamic during all weather conditions and provides the best all-day conspicuity, utilizing sunlight to enhance the sign.
