CENTRAL OFFICE SAFETY MEETING

Pedestrian and Bicyclist SafetyandWork Zone Safety Awareness

Marianne TrussellChief Safety OfficerApril 21,2010

Did You Know?

•In 2008

▫1,315 drivers▫546 passengers▫532 motorcyclists (and passengers)▫502 pedestrians▫118 bicyclists▫193 teens

Were killed on Florida roadways?

•In 2008

▫122,080 drivers▫56,800 passengers▫8,519 motorcyclists▫7,878 pedestrians▫4,380 bicyclists▫20,347 teens

Were injured on Florida’s roadways?

These Numbers are Unacceptable

•2,983 killed in traffic crashes in one year – 2008

•4,391 killed in 7 years in the Iraq war •2,966 killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks

FOCUSING ON PEDESTRIANS

AND BICYCLISTS

PEDESTRIANS

Test Question #1

•What age group has the highest number *of pedestrian fatalities?

A. 25-34B. 35-44C. 45-54D. 55-64

*All answers based upon 2008 data (2009 data not final) .

Test Question #2

•What was the behavior engaged in by the majority of pedestrians killed?

A. Walking along road with trafficB. Crossing not at an intersectionC. Standing or playing in roadD. Other

Test Question #3

•What time of day are the majority of pedestrians killed?

A. DaylightB. DuskC. DarkD. Dawn

Test Question #4

•What was the weather like when the majority of pedestrians were killed?

A. CloudyB. ClearC. RainyD. Foggy

Test Question #5

•Of pedestrian fatalities

A. Approximately 70 % were maleB. Approximately 90% were maleC. The majority were maleD. The majority were female

• Safe Walking Tips

▫Watch for vehicles and bicyclists▫Don’t use headphones, iPods, or cell phones

(take your cell phone for emergencies)▫Cross only at crosswalks walks when available▫Be extra vigilant for turning vehicles▫If walking for health reasons, find a partner▫Know where you are and where you are going▫Wear appropriate shoes and clothing▫See and be seen (wear reflective clothing at

dusk/night)▫Walk facing traffic when paths and sidewalks

are unavailable

BICYCLISTS

Test Question # 6

•What age group has the highest number of bicyclist fatalities?

A. 45-54B. 55-64C. 35-44D. 25-34

Test Question # 7

•In which county were the most bicyclists killed?

A. Miami-DadeB. BrowardC. PinellasD. Leon

Test Question # 8

•What time of day are the majority of bicyclists killed?

A. DuskB. DarkC. DawnD. Daylight

Test Question # 9

•What was the weather like when the majority of bicyclists were killed?

A. CloudyB. RainyC. ClearD. Foggy

Test Question # 10

•Of bicyclists killed

A. The majority were femaleB. The majority were male C. 66% were maleD. 86% were male

•Safe Riding Tips

▫Wear a properly fitted helmet (they aren’t just for kids)

▫Adjust your bicycle to fit▫Check your equipment▫See and be seen ▫Control your bicycle▫Watch for and avoid road hazards▫Avoid riding at night if possible▫Lights and reflectors are required between

sunset and sunrise

• Obey the Rules of the Road

▫Ride WITH the flow of traffic (not against it)▫Obey all traffic laws▫Yield to traffic and pedestrians when

appropriate▫Be predictable▫Stay alert at all times▫Look before turning (use hand signals)▫Watch for parked cars and cars exiting

driveways▫Never ride more than two abreast (it’s

dangerous and against the law in Florida)▫Children under 10 should use sidewalks; adults

should use roadways. Some localities prohibit bicycles on sidewalks

• Motorists and Bicyclists

▫Bicycles are vehicles under Florida law and have equal rights and responsibilities to use the roadway (not limited access facilities) (Sec. 316.2065, F.S.)

▫Florida law requires motorists to allow a minimum of 3 feet when overtaking a bicyclist or other non-motorized vehicle (Sec. 316.083, F.S.)

▫Most laws relating to bicyclists can be found in Section 316.2065, F.S. http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Welcome/index.cfm

WHO CAN HELP REDUCE THESE NUMBERS AND SAVE LIVES?

YOU CAN – EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US CAN MAKE A

DIFFERENCE

• Change your own bad habits and driving behaviors

• Set a good example• Work on making positive changes in the ones

you love• Be an ambassador for safety• Spread the safety word

Safety is Everybody’s Business

ANSWERS

•Q1: Age of most pedestrian fatalities: C (45-54)•Q2: Behavior of pedestrians killed: B (cross not at

intersection)•Q3: Time of day pedestrians killed: C (dark 73%)•Q4: Weather when pedestrians killed: B (clear)•Q5: Pedestrians killed: A (approx. 70% male)•Q6: Age of most bicyclist fatalities: A(45-54)•Q7: County with most bicyclists killed: B

(Broward)•Q8: Time of day bicyclists killed: B (dark 54%) •Q9: Weather when bicyclists killed: C (clear)•Q10: Bicyclists killed: D (86% male)

The Many Faces of Construction

The Many Faces of Work Zone Fatalities

A Single Life Lost is One Too Many Who is dying in work zones?

•93 People in 2008

▫60 Drivers▫17 Passengers▫16 Pedestrians (includes workers)

What about work zone injuries?

•6,802 in 2008

▫4,655 Drivers▫1,997 Passengers▫150 Pedestrians (includes workers)

Driving in work zone tips

•Be alert – expect the unexpected•Minimize distractions (no cell phones,

eating, drinking, reading, shaving, primping )

•Don’t speed•Don’t tailgate•Don’t change lanes• Keep an eye out for workers and

equipment

DO YOU KNOW WHERE TOFIND DOT SAFETY STANDARDS?

•DOT LOSS PREVENTION MANUALTopic No: 500-000-015http://ombnet.dot.state.fl.us/procedures/bin/500000015/500-000-015_toc.pd

QUESTIONS?

•Marianne Trussell , Chief Safety Officer Marianne.Trussell@dot.state.fl.us 245-1504

•Mark Eacker, Industrial Safety Program Admin.

Mark.Eacker@dot.state.fl.us245-1510