Many Georgians were looking forward to the extra hour of sleep on Sunday as Daylight Saving Time came to its end on November 5.
As it begins getting darker earlier, the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) is asking motorists and pedestrians to take more precautions to reduce crashes and fatalities.
Statistically, pedestrians out walking during the evening hours are nearly four-and-a-half times more likely to be struck by a car. Additionally, according to estimates by the Governors Highway Safety Association, more than 7,500 pedestrians were killed while walking on U.S. roadways in 2022 – the most in 41 years.
Specifically, in Georgia between 2007 and 2021, 2,983 people were killed while walking. 82 percent of pedestrian fatalities occurred between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. and over 80 percent of pedestrian fatalities happened outside a crosswalk.
Between 2013 and 2022, 44 percent of pedestrian fatalities in Georgia were a result of a confirmed or suspected distracted driver. 9 out of 10 pedestrians struck by a vehicle going 40 mph die as a result.
With these staggering statistics in mind, it’s important to recognize that safety is a shared responsibility for both motorists and pedestrians. With the end of Daylight Saving Time, which brings reduced visibility, the Georgia DOT is offering the following tips for both motorists and pedestrians:
Motorists:
~ Slow down, put down your cell phones, and stay alert. During the evening hours, you need more time to see a pedestrian in your path.
~ Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or bad weather.
~ Keep in mind that pedestrians who are wearing headphones, hats, or earmuffs may not hear your vehicle as it approaches.
Pedestrians:
~ Carry a flashlight or attach reflective materials – such as fluorescent tape – to clothing, backpacks, purses, and briefcases. These materials reflect light from headlights back to drivers, making it easier to see you.
~ Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.
~ Avoid jaywalking and crossing between parked vehicles.
~ When crossing the street, look left-right-left for cars from the curb.
~ Don’t assume a driver sees you. Do not cross the street if a car is coming and use a crosswalk if available.
Pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility as motorists and walkers must look out for one another. Stay completely focused on the road and avoid distractions.
Georgia DOT also cautions that the clock adjustment could catch some drivers by surprise – with sun glare or darkness occurring during different parts of their familiar driving routine. Drive Alert to Arrive Alive!