Maine highway safety officials are urging drivers and pedestrians to exercise caution this month as shorter days and increased foot traffic heighten risks during the fall season.
The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety is observing October as Pedestrian Safety Month, citing national statistics showing 3,304 pedestrian deaths in the first half of 2024, a 48% increase since 2014. In Maine, pedestrians accounted for 14% of traffic fatalities over the past four years.
“Pedestrian safety is a two way street,” Bureau Director Lauren Stewart said. She urged drivers to slow down in high traffic areas while encouraging pedestrians to wear reflective clothing or carry flashlights.
The bureau emphasized that drivers should never pass stopped vehicles at crosswalks and must stay alert in neighborhoods and school zones. Pedestrians should avoid distractions, including phones and headphones.
Teen Driver Safety Week runs Oct. 19-25. Traffic crashes remain the leading cause of death for teens ages 15-19, with an average of 12 teen driver fatalities annually in Maine over the past five years. Officials say underdeveloped decision-making skills can lead to speeding, distracted driving and other risky behaviors.
School Bus Safety Week is Oct. 20-24. Most child fatalities in bus-related crashes occur when drivers illegally pass stopped school buses, officials said. Nearly 40% of children killed in such crashes nationwide were pedestrians.
Maine law requires drivers to stop when a bus’s red lights flash and its stop arm extends. The “Danger Zone”, 10 feet in front, behind and on both sides of a bus, can be invisible to bus drivers.
More information is available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
