This information was provided by John Meola as part of WSA’s Safety First! Program.

Recent statistics from the us dot show an alarming rise in pedestrian fatalities in 2014-15. The increase is roughly on the order of 10%. About 75% of these fatalities occur at night. Surprisingly, calculating the number of pedestrians killed annually is not a precise science.

The rise may be attributed to several factors, including the growing desire to live a healthier lifestyle through regular exercise. In some cases folks wearing ear buds during their outdoor run or walk may pay less attention to their surroundings. Also as gasoline prices decrease people may feel inclined to take more leisurely drives. And we've all heard about the dangers of distracted driving. When you add this up, pedestrians are on the losing end.

Using the basic wisdoms we have learned from the occupational safety field, we can improve our odds of survival by making a few simple adjustments to our walking workout exercise. We include the entire class of 'unprotected highway users', (pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, road workers) which is what the dot calls anyone on a road but not inside a vehicle.

1. WALK (OR RIDE) IN PROTECTED AREAS WHEN POSSIBLE. SIDEWALKS WITH A RAISED CURB ARE SAFER. WALKING AND BIKE TRIALS ARE BEST. LOOK FOR ALTERNATE PATHS AND ROUTES THAT MAY BE LESS EXPOSED TO TRAFFIC. THEY MAY ADD A FEW STEPS, BUT YOU'RE THERE FOR THE EXERCISE, REMEMBER?

2. STAY AWAY FROM MOVING VEHICLES...AS FAR AS POSSIBLE. THIS MAY SOUND LOGICAL, BUT REALITY SHOWS WE OFTEN GET TOO CLOSE FOR NO REASON.

3. AVOID NIGHT TIME WALKING/RIDING IN UNPROTECTED AREAS. THE LATER AT NIGHT, THE MORE CHANCES TO ENCOUNTER AN 'IMPAIRED' DRIVER. ALSO MANY DRIVERS CAN'T SEE AS WELL AT NIGHT.

4. THE SAFEST WAY TO CROSS A TRAVEL LANE IS TO WAIT UNTIL IT'S CLEAR, THEN GO DIRECTLY ACROSS, NOT ON A TANGENT. WALKING ON A DIAGONAL NEEDLESSLY EXPOSES YOU TO TRAFFIC, WHETHER CARS ARE PRESENT OR NOT. APPLIES TO PARKING LOTS, STREETS, AND ROADS OF ALL TYPES.

5. WEAR BRIGHT GARMENTS, SUCH AS A SAFETY VEST. FACE TRAFFIC, KEEP VEST CLOSED FOR FULL DEPLOYMENT. IT'S NOT A FASHION SHOW. COMPLEX VISUAL BACKGROUNDS CAN MAKE YOU 'INVISIBLE.' AVOID 'CAMO' GARMENTS AND DARK COLORS.

6. CARRY OR WEAR A BRIGHT LIGHT SOURCE DAY AND NIGHT. MAKE SURE VEHICLE DRIVERS SEE YOU! FRONT AND REAR FACING LIGHTS IMPROVE YOUR IDENTIFICATION. THE HUMAN EYE IS LIGHT SEEKING. USE THIS PRINCIPLE TO YOUR ADVANTAGE.

7. STAY ALERT, GET THE BIG PICTURE, FRONT, BACK, AND SIDES. MEANING, ONLY USE ONE EAR BUD. IT IS ESSENTIAL TO KEEP YOUR SURROUNDINGS IN CHECK.

8. MOVE OVER, MOVE AWAY FROM APPROACHING VEHICLES. THE DRIVER COULD BE IMPAIRED, TEXTING, DISTRACTED OR OTHERWISE BLIND TO YOUR PRESENCE. WHILE MOVING TO A PLACE OF SAFETY FOR A FEW SECONDS CAN CAUSE YOU TO BREAK STRIDE OR SLOW DOWN YOUR RIDE, IT BEATS THE WAIT YOU'LL HAVE IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

9. PAY A LOT OF ATTENTION AROUND INTERSECTIONS. GET OFF YOUR BIKE AND WALK ACROSS. WAIT FOR A SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR SPAN OF TIME TO CROSS, IN OTHER WORDS DO NOT TRY TO 'BEAT' THE TRAFFIC. AND NEVER ASSUME THAT DRIVERS SEE YOU. (SEE # 8 ABOVE). STAY WELL BACK FROM THE CURB EDGE. USE THE CROSSWALK IF PRESENT.

10. DRIVE SAFELY TO A GYM!! OR BUY A TREADMILL!

SUMMARY: Improvements in occupational safety practices have made 'work' one of the safest places on earth. Insurance statistics reliably indicate we are more likely to be injured in a fall at home than at work. We are more likely to have a fender bender or a severe accident in in our neighborhood than anyplace else. In other words, it's usually the stuff right under our nose that will hurt us the most. Who would have guessed that simply going out for a stroll could be your worst nightmare?

This message was not exactly sponsored by american family fitness, but if i had to bet, i'd be buying stock in health clubs. But seriously... WSA wants you and your family to be safe at work and at home. Help us share the safety message!