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  • Writer's pictureALFA Car
    • Nov 11, 2019
    • 5 min read

Keep an Eye Out for Pedestrians


At some point in the day, everyone is a pedestrian, and unfortunately pedestrian fatalities remain high. There was a more than 3% increase in the number of pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in 2018, totaling 6,283 deaths — the most deaths since 1990. NHTSA raises awareness of the dangers to pedestrians by providing safety tips, educational material and other resources. Find out how to protect yourself and your loved ones when walking, and learn how you can help us prevent pedestrian injuries and deaths.


Pedestrian Fatalities

6,283: PEDESTRIANS KILLED IN TRAFFIC CRASHES IN 2018

70%: MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS OF PEDESTRIANS KILLED IN TRAFFIC CRASHES WERE MALES IN 2017

26%: HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF PEDESTRIAN FATALITIES OCCUR BETWEEN 6 P.M. AND 8:59 P.M.

88: ON AVERAGE, A PEDESTRIAN WAS KILLED EVERY 88 MINUTES IN TRAFFIC CRASHES IN 2017.


Everyone Is a Pedestrian

Everyone has different preferences when it comes to transportation, but at one time or another everyone is a pedestrian. Unfortunately, there was a more than 3% increase in the number of pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in 2018, totaling 6,283 deaths. 


Whether you’re a concerned resident, a parent or a caregiver, you want to do everything you can to make sure you, your loved ones and your neighbors can enjoy walking safely in your community. The resources below will help you do just that. We offer pedestrians of all ages guidance on maintaining safety while enjoying the benefits of walking.


Know the Basics—Pedestrian Safety

10 Walking Safety Tips

  1. Be predictable. Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.

  2. Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.

  3. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.

  4. Keep alert at all times; don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes (and ears) off the road.

  5. Whenever possible, cross streets at crosswalks or intersections, where drivers expect pedestrians. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.

  6. If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross.

  7. Never assume a driver sees you. Make eye contact with drivers as they approach to make sure you are seen.

  8. Be visible at all times. Wear bright clothing during the day, and wear reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.

  9. Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots.

  10. Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment.


9 Driving Safety Tips

  1. Look out for pedestrians everywhere, at all times. Safety is a shared responsibility.

  2. Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or bad weather.

  3. Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.

  4. Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from the cross-walk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop too.

  5. Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing that you can’t see.

  6. Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

  7. Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street.

  8. Follow slower speed limits in school zones and in neighborhoods where children are present.

  9. Be extra cautious when backing up—pedestrians can move into your path


Finding and Creating Walkable Communities

  • Want to improve the walkability of your neighborhood? Learn from the examples of other communities working to improve pedestrian safety.

  • How walkable is your community? Take a walk with your child and find out for yourselves.


Keeping Your Kids Safe While They Walk

  • Elementary school children are very active and impulsive. Although they’re learning and growing, school-age children 10 and younger still need guidance and supervision when playing and walking near traffic.

  • Elementary school children are very active and impulsive. Although they’re learning and growing, school-age children 10 and younger still need guidance and supervision when playing and walking near traffic.

  • Remind your preteens and teens that walking around traffic requires the same critical thinking skills as riding a bike or driving a car: Stop, look left-right-left, be safe and be seen.


Visit alfadoraville.com, call (770) 457-4908 or come in to our office!


Alfa Driving School is Atlanta’s premier driving and traffic school and is available for all your needs. Since 1993 Alfa Driving School has called Doraville home and has enjoyed providing its services to the local community and those from all over the great state of Georgia. For the past 25 years, residents of Doraville, Chamblee and the rest of DeKalb County have been able to trust Alfa Driving School to give them proper, high quality and expert services. With excellent customer service and some of the best instructors in the state, Alfa Driving School is here for all of your defensive driving course, risk reduction and driving lesson needs. For over 20 years, Alfa Driving School has helped locals get rid of points on their license, reduce their car insurance premiums, getting tickets dismissed in court and much more with the help of our defensive driving course. The defensive driving course, also known as DDC, has allowed students to learn all the necessary things to be safe and knowledgeable drivers. With our risk reduction course, also known as DUI course, we have made sure that all of our students that take the class to get their license back and/or complete court mandates leave our office with the knowledge and attitude to be better drivers and to learn from their mistakes. Our hard working risk reduction instructors make it imperative that all of our students fulfil all the program requirements and fully understand why they are taking the class and how to not end up in the same situation. And for those that just want to learn how to drive and get their license, Alfa Driving School has some of the instructors the city of Doraville and the state of Georgia has to offer. With over 20 years of experience, our instructors make it their duty to make sure that the student learns all they need to know to pass their road test and be a smart, safe driver. Our instructor makes sure that the student feels comfortable driving and knows to listen to the student on what they want to practice more on, what they don’t feel comfortable with and what they would like to practice and get more experience doing.


Alfa Driving School is a certified by the Georgia Department of Driver Services to facilitate and implement the defensive driving course (DDC), risk reduction program (DUI course) and provide behind the wheel driving lessons throughout the state. In our 25 years of service, we have taken great pride in being a part of the Doraville, Chamblee and DeKalb County community and have had the pleasure of helping the residents in Doraville and its neighboring cities. Alfa Driving School, learn from the best.

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