October is Pedestrian Safety Awareness Month, and the Prince William County Police Department is urging pedestrians to follow best roadway practices due to an increase in traffic-related crashes. Over the past several years, the police department has issued news releases and conducted social media campaigns to educate the community about these safe practices. Despite these efforts, most fatal crashes involving pedestrians have shown to be caused by pedestrians crossing busy roadways outside of a crosswalk, walking too close or in the roadway itself, wearing dark clothing that makes it harder for drivers to see them, and being inattentive to surroundings. 

Between Jan. 1, 2017 and Sept. 15, 2022, there have been 338 pedestrian-involved crashes in Prince William County, 28 of which were fatal. The number of pedestrian fatalities does not include two recent deaths that occurred towards the end of September this year. Year-to-date in 2022, the police department has investigated six fatal pedestrian crashes, which is one less than all of 2021, and two less than the 10-year high of nine in 2012. Overall pedestrian-involved crashes from Jan. 1 to Sept. 15, 2022 total 43, up from 40 during the same time in 2021, and nearing the overall 5-year average of 59. Last year, in 2021, 28 of the 71 pedestrian-involved crashes, or about 39.4%, occurred between Oct. and Dec. alone, resulting in two deaths.

Unless traffic laws and best practices are followed, Prince William County will likely meet, if not exceed, the total number of fatal pedestrian-involved crashes and the number of overall pedestrian-related crashes compared to last year. Maps of reportable crashes over the last five years show a considerable concentration of pedestrian-involved crashes and pedestrian fatalities along busy corridors, such as Richmond Highway and Sudley Road, where best practices are especially needed. 

Pedestrian-related crashes can be prevented by planning time and a route ahead of leaving your home, obeying all posted signs and signals, dressing to be seen, limiting phone and other distractions, avoiding impairments, and keeping out of the roadway unless legally crossing in a designated area.

No license is required to be a pedestrian. Everyone is a pedestrian, and it’s incumbent upon each person to know the law, the rules of the road, and use best practices to navigate safely. 

Learn more helpful tips by visiting shareVAroads.org/pedestrians.