The South Carolina Highway Patrol reports that 105 pedestrians have been killed so far this year, a startling increase over last year's 84 deaths. While alcohol is often involved, officials say that the higher number may be the result of the down economy. Fewer people can afford a car these days, explained a Highway Patrol captain, and that means more people on foot; more people on foot, unfortunately, means more pedestrians struck by cars.

With the shortest day of the year just around the corner, and the holiday shopping rush in full swing, officials are hoping the "Stop, Educate, Enforce" program will help to save lives. The program puts more patrols on the streets, especially around busy intersections. When pedestrians have to cross multiple lanes of traffic, the captain explained, they will take risks they wouldn't normally take.

The program's name couldn't explain it more clearly -- even the acronym, SEE, gets the message across. Officers will stop to talk with pedestrians; they will educate walkers about safety; when it comes to intoxicated walkers, officers will take them off the roads. Finally, officers will enforce the traffic and pedestrian laws. For example, the law prohibits pedestrians from crossing between intersections (jaywalking), and, for cars, the law grants pedestrians the right of way in crosswalks.

Because most of the fatalities are at night and on rural, poorly lit roads, the Highway Patrol believes education may be the most important component of SEE. People walking along roads that have no sidewalks certainly have a right to be there, but they are also more likely to be struck by a car or truck.

Drivers should be on the lookout for pedestrians, and pedestrians should take these basic precautions:

  • Walk on the shoulder of the road.
  • Face traffic.
  • Wear light or brightly-colored clothing.
  • Wear reflective gear on ankles, shoes or wrists.
  • If there is a crosswalk, use it. Don't cross between intersections or traffic signals.

The next step for the Highway Patrol is to distribute 50,000 reflective wristbands to walkers they stop to talk to. Troopers will begin passing out the wristbands in January.

Source: Post & Courier, "Roads more deadly: South Carolina pedestrian fatalities highest in 5 years," Allyson Bird, Dec. 13, 2011