Walking should always be celebrated as a healthy form of transportation, and it should be safe for everyone, including Oklahoma City, which has a population of about 709,000.
October is National Pedestrian Safety Month. Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike should be aware of the latest information concerning pedestrian injuries and fatalities and how these tragedies can be avoided.
Oklahoma Sees Improvements
There is some good news. According to 2023 statistics from the Governors Highway Safety Association, Oklahoma made the Top 10 List of states with the highest percentage drop in pedestrian traffic fatalities across the United States. The Sooner State placed sixth, recording a 25% decrease compared to 2022.
Looking locally to Oklahoma City, those numbers have yet to be released. However, Program Planner Justin Henry from the city’s Transportation Department believes those numbers will also reflect a dip in such fatalities involving pedestrians. Henry told the media that the city’s MAPS 4 initiatives, including more sidewalks and crosswalks, are having a positive effect on the community.
Trouble Spots
While pedestrian deaths and injuries are down in OKC’s inner city from the 250 recorded accidents in 2021, trouble spots are occurring in the suburbs and along the state highways involving city residents who are homeless and transient. Oklahoma City Police attribute the rise in pedestrian traffic collisions to the growing numbers of unhoused residents in the past couple of years.
OKCPD and Vision Zero planners have visited various homeless encampments to educate folks living there about being careful, especially at night when most of these accidents occur. They have passed out reflective bracelets for unhoused and transient residents to wear for safety while walking along heavy traffic areas.
As of January 2024, Oklahoma City recorded 1,838 people without a place to call home. The data showed an increase of 402 people from the 2023 count.
Area of Concern
Speed appears to be the largest factor in pedestrian fatalities. Although accidents involving pedestrians still happen downtown and in the inner city, most incidents do not include severe injuries because drivers know to slow down in these areas and expect to see more foot traffic while behind the wheel.
According to Planner Henry, non-interstate highways in suburban sections of Oklahoma City are also cause for concern. Two of these trouble spots feature very high-speed limits and are the reason for a rise in pedestrian deaths and traffic fatalities in general. These roads include 23rd Street east of I-35 and Mustang Road.
Creating Awareness of Pedestrian Dangers
From October 9 to November 17, 2024, the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) will partner with Oklahoma City to commemorate Pedestrian Safety Month and set new initiatives for pedestrians of all ages and those with mobility challenges to travel safely throughout their neighborhoods and communities.
Oklahoma City is doing better than most large cities in trying to curb pedestrian fatalities and injuries, but there’s still a considerable way to go in making OKC a pedestrian-friendly community. Increasing awareness and education are steps in the right direction. Zero pedestrian traffic fatalities is the ultimate goal.