Pedestrian crashes highest in five years
During 2024, the number of motor vehicle crashes involving Dane County pedestrians totaled 138, the highest in five years and an increase of 20% over the previous four-year average. In those crashes, five persons were killed. The 126 persons injured also marked a five-year high. This year through the end of May, there have been 59 pedestrian crashes, 53 injuries, and 2 deaths. As a result of these alarming statistics, county law enforcement agencies announced an increased enforcement effort June 13-27 to watch for traffic violations endangering pedestrians and to offer education on how to avoid them. As members of the Dane County Traffic Safety Commission (TSC), officers in multiple Dane County communities during this two-week period will increase surveillance for risky behavior by motorists and pedestrians to ensure they are following state law and common sense on the county’s streets and roads. “Officers will be out watching for situations when pedestrians are at risk. Drivers demonstrating unsafe behavior will be ticketed or warned, and they, along with pedestrians, will receive information on how to reduce the risk to themselves and others on the roads,” said Lt. Chad O’Neil, Stoughton Police Department and co-chair of the TSC’s Law Enforcement Group, which is coordinating the pedestrian safety effort. “Everyone is a pedestrian at some point,” Lt. O’Neil said. “The law says a pedestrian is anyone on foot, skates, skateboard, scooter, or traveling in a wheelchair or mobility device, and it offers legal protections. But this campaign is more than just obeying the law. It’s about saving lives and reducing injuries that can change your life.” From June 13 to 27, several of the participating police departments will conduct crosswalk enforcement on selective dates at busy intersections to see if drivers stop for pedestrians. In some communities, officers will send a trained walker into a crosswalk. Drivers failing to stop will get a warning or citation. Lt. O’Neil said in the past, he has witnessed vehicles nearly striking the walker, even when officers were in full view observing on the sidewalk. “What would have happened if it had been an unsuspecting child, a walker staring at his phone, or someone in a wheelchair?” Lt. O’Neil said. Lt. O’Neil noted that persons who have been drinking alcohol are especially at risk, and it’s not just drivers. Over the past three years, 28 pedestrians killed or injured were suspected of being impaired by drugs or alcohol. Most crashes involving pedestrians occurred from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m., when children are walking home from school and commuters are out in greater numbers. Over the last three years, one-third of the crash victims were under age 24, and the rate of those most likely to receive care at an emergency department was highest among children 15-17. As anticipated, the greatest risk of pedestrian crashes is in Madison, where there were 380 over the last five years. Lt. O’Neil especially cautioned drivers and pedestrians at the following intersections with the highest frequency:- Madison: Campus area around North Park St. and University Ave.
- Highway 151 from Hwy 51 to East Town Mall
- East Washington Ave near Tenney Park
- Highway 151 near intersection with W. Washington Ave.
- Always yield to pedestrians who have stepped into a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
- Watch for pedestrians crossing in the middle of a block. While they should yield to motorists, many assume vehicles instead must stop for them.
- Watch for children darting out between cars or incorrectly judging speed of oncoming traffic.
- Pay attention to the road ahead. Put the phone down.
- Watch for pedestrians when turning at a green light or making a right turn on red.
- Don’t block crosswalks when stopping at intersections.
- Don’t pass another vehicle stopped at an intersection; you may not see a pedestrian on the other side starting to cross.
- Remember that seniors or persons with disabilities may take longer to cross.
- Cross only at marked crosswalks and at intersections.
- Before crossing look left, right, then left again and make eye contact with drivers.
- Put the phone down.
- Wait for the walk signal; don’t start crossing if red timer is ticking down.
- Walk on the sidewalk when available. If none, walk on the left side facing traffic to watch oncoming vehicles.
- Wear light or reflective clothing at night.
- Cross at yellow flashing beacons where available, but don’t assume all drivers will stop. Motorists entering an intersection from a side road may not observe the lights blinking.
- Stoughton: Chad O’Neil, Stoughton Police Department, coneil@cityofstoughton.com, (608) 646-0453.
- Waunakee: Matt Plendl, Waunakee Police Department, mplendl@waunakeepd.org, (608) 849-4523.