City Rolls Out Nighttime Crash Reduction and Pedestrian Safety Program

from the Chicago Dispatcher
September 2009

by Norma Reyes

Did you know that in 2006 there were close to 5,000 pedestrian fatalities and over 61,000 injuries in the United States, and 60% of these fatalities happened at night?

In Chicago, taxis are involved in 28% of the pedestrian crashes in the Wrigleyville area and 25% of pedestrian crashes in River North sections of the City of Chicago. Data collected at crosswalks also show that only 19% of taxis yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.

In the coming weeks, The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) will launch a nighttime pedestrian crash reduction effort as part of the Safe Streets for Chicago traffic and pedestrian safety program. The crash-reduction effort is undertaken in conjunction with Western Michigan University (WMU), chosen by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to launch an effort in two U.S. cities. The effort entails a multifaceted plan to reduce nighttime pedestrian crashes.

Many nighttime crashes are tightly clustered in zones throughout communities.

The analysis of nighttime pedestrian crash data in Chicago found four “zones” with high numbers: Austin, River North, Wrigleyville, and 79th (Ashland to the Dan Ryan). Several factors were related to the crashes; two main factors in the Wrigleyville zone were alcohol use and incidents involving taxis.

The crash-reduction effort includes a focus in the areas of engineering, education and enforcement:

* Engineering - pavement markings, signal timing changes
* Education - outreach to taxi companies, bars, and restaurants
* Enforcement - targeted speed enforcement, crosswalk enforcement

In September, the Chicago Police Department will start NIGHT enforcement operations and will ticket any driver, including taxicabs, that does not yield to pedestrians in Wrigleyville and River North. To avoid a ticket, I offer you the following tips on pedestrian safety:

* Watch for pedestrians stepping out between parked cars as they leave clubs and bars at night.
* When making turns at traffic signals, watch for pedestrians crossing in the crosswalk.
* Remember that pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks that are marked crosswalks.

This effort will help keep pedestrians safe and could help produce a more positive attitude toward taxis in the City of Chicago. Both are good for business.