The American Academy of Pediatrics is calling on cities to upgrade their pedestrian safety laws as children are hit and killed at an increasing rate.
In its first policy statement on the topic since 2009, the AAP points to an 11 percent increase in child pedestrian deaths since 2013 despite a decrease in overall pedestrian deaths in the last 30 years. Sixteen percent of kids killed in traffic incidents are pedestrians.
“The reminder to ‘Look both ways before you cross the street,’ is good advice, but just part of the equation,” said Sadiqa A. I. Kendi, MD, MPH, FAAP, CPST, co-author of the policy statement, written by the AAP Council on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention. “Research tells us that an even more effective way to consistently improve safety is when communities take intentional steps to create pedestrian-safe environments. We live in a busy, distracted world, and when local leaders create walkable spaces, they also enhance the appeal and vibrance of their communities.”
The AAP is asking cities to consider adopting a "Vision Zero" approach, which treats traffic injuries and fatalities as a public health issue. It accepts that humans are prone to error and focuses on making system-wide change over changing the behavior of the individual.
Included in the AAP's recommendations for Vision Zero approach is a call for legislation that will address urban design factors that impact pedestrian safety, enhanced education for drivers and walkers, speed limit reduction and enforcement methods.
Over 45 cities already utilize the Vision Zero approach, but Pittsburgh is not one of them. However, it is on the Gainey Administration's radar.
Scott Bricker is the director of Bike Pittsburgh and was on Mayor Ed Gainey's Infrastructure and Environment transition committee. He said adopting Vision Zero was one of the committee's top suggestions to the mayor.
"It's important because we lose about 20-25 Pittsburghers every year to traffic fatalities, and we can do more to put an end to that."
He said the Gainey Administration continues to look into officially adopting Vision Zero.
"We would like to see them make an executive order declaring that they are adopting Vision Zero and a whole strategy and funding mechanism to end traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2035."
The AAP reports children face specific challenges and parameters that increase risk for pedestrian crashes.
People ages 10-19 are more likely to be in a pedestrian crash compared to other children. Black and American Indian children are most likely to be involved in a pedestrian crash.
Kids are most at risk from 6 to 9 p.m. and in rural areas.
Bricker says the risk grows for children as cars get bigger and faster.
"We need to spend more resources on making our streets safer. Sight distances for people driving very large pick-up trucks, it's not great. You can't see small people walk out in front of you."
The AAP reports Sweden adopted an approach like Vision Zero and saw a 50 percent reduction in pedestrian fatalities.