October is Pedestrian Safety Month | |
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Each of us is a pedestrian at some point as we go about our day. No one should have to risk their life while walking to school, work, the grocery store, or for exercise. Our roads need to be safe for everyone, both inside and outside a vehicle. Safety for all road users is a top priority of the River to Sea TPO. Below are some of the ways the River to Sea TPO is working to bring all fatalities and serious injuries to zero:
This October marks the fourth annual National Pedestrian Safety Month, which was launched in 2020 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2022, one pedestrian was killed every 70 minutes in a traffic crash (Source: NHTSA). It is up to all of us to protect pedestrians. Here are a few tips to help prevent pedestrian fatalities and injuries:
Drivers:
- Look out for pedestrians everywhere, especially in hard-to-see conditions
- Do not speed, and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks
- Never pass vehicles stopped at crosswalks
- Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn
- Never drive impaired
Pedestrians:
- Be predictable and use signalized crosswalks where drivers anticipate foot traffic
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Walking on sidewalks when available, or walking facing traffic when a sidewalk isn't available as this allows you to have better visibility of incoming cars and gives drivers more time to react to potentially dangerous situations
- Watch for approaching vehicles and practice care when crossing the street; at 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop
- Make it easier for drivers to see you at night – wear bright colors and reflective materials, and use a flashlight
- Be extra cautious crossing streets, entering crosswalks at night, and on busier streets with higher speed limits
- Avoid using electronic devices while walking. Cell phones and music players can distract you by taking your eyes and ears off the road
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National #DND While Driving Day | |
Thursday, October 17, 2024 is the third National Do Not Disturb While Driving Day (DNDWD). This day is intended to draw attention to a life-saving feature that is already integrated into every smartphone. Do Not Disturb While Driving settings block calls, texts, and other notifications while you’re driving, and help keep you focused on the road ahead. A recent government study estimates that distraction was involved in 28% of all crashes in 2021, resulting in 12,405 fatalities and a societal cost of $158 billion. The video below shows you step-by-step how to enable the Do Not Disturb feature on your iPhone, Android, or Pixel phone. | |
National School Bus Safety Week | |
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National School Bus Safety Week runs from October 21-25, 2024. This week is sponsored by the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT), an organization dedicated to getting kids to and from school safely and efficiently. School buses are one of the safest modes of transportation. Less than 1% of all traffic fatalities involve children on school transportation vehicles (Source: NHTSA). The school bus loading and unloading area is called the “Danger Zone.” Specifically, this is any side of the bus where the bus driver can’t see the child and, therefore, the child is in the most danger. These areas include:
- 10 feet in front of the bus, where the driver may be sitting too high to see a child
- 10 feet on either side of the bus, where a child may be in the driver’s blind spots
- Behind the school bus
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- All drivers moving in either direction on a two-way street must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children AND the school bus stop arm is withdrawn. (see diagram: TWO-LANE)
- On a highway divided by a paved median, all drivers moving in either direction must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children AND the school bus stop arm is withdrawn. (see diagram: MULTI-LANE)
- The only time traffic approaching an oncoming school bus does not need to stop, is if there is a raised barrier such as a concrete divider or at least five feet of unpaved space separating the lanes of traffic. (see diagram: DIVIDED HIGHWAY)
- On a highway divided by a raised barrier or an unpaved median at least 5 feet wide, drivers moving in the opposite direction do not have to stop for the bus (painted lines or pavement markings are not considered barriers). However, these motorists should slow down and watch for students loading or unloading from the bus. (see diagram: DIVIDED HIGHWAY)
(Source: FLHSMV School Bus Safety)
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Ride Roll Stroll Challenge | |
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The Ride Roll Stroll Challenge is back from October 1 to November 2, 2024! Join the challenge to ride transit, bike, walk, or carpool for your chance to win prizes throughout the challenge, including $500, $750, and $1,000 Grand Prizes! During the challenge, you can compete with friends, neighbors, and colleagues for a top spot on the leaderboards. Compete for a spot on the leaderboard and win prizes by recording the following types of trips:
🚌 Transit: includes the bus, paratransit, micro-transit, train, streetcar, etc.
🚴 Bike: any kind of bicycle, including e-bikes
🚶 Walk: transportation on foot or with a mobility device
👭 Car/vanpool: share the ride in a motor or electric vehicle where the driver is unpaid, including vanpools provided by Commute with Enterprise or your local transit agency
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Participating in the Ride Roll Stroll Challenge is a great way to gear up for the Florida Department of Transportation's 9th Annual Mobility Week, which runs from October 25 through November 2, 2024. Mobility Week is a cooperative effort by FDOT and its partner agencies to promote awareness of safe, multimodal transportation choices. During Mobility Week, counties, cities, and transportation agencies host events and offer special promotions to encourage Floridians to try new transportation options. | | | |
Take the SUN Trail Survey | |
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Trailblazers Wanted! 🔆
If you travel along Florida’s Shared-Use Nonmotorized (SUN) trails, FDOT needs your help! You play an integral role in the development of trail segments. Beginning in September 2024, you’ll find QR-coded signs along the SUN Trails for you to provide input. 📱
If you find a QR code along your route, take a moment to scan it with your phone camera and complete the 1-minute, 5-question survey for the trail. Every QR code is different, so keep scanning! The information you share will inform and support the planning of future bicycle and pedestrian trails. 🌳 Happy Scanning! 🤳🏻 For more information on the SUN Trail network click here.
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*Meeting held in the Conference Room at River to Sea TPO office, 1 Deuce Court, Suite 100, Daytona Beach
**Meeting held in Airline Room at Daytona Beach International Airport, 700 Catalina Drive, Daytona Beach
***Meeting held in the Votran Conference Room, 950 Big Tree Road, South Daytona
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Upcoming TPO Board and
Advisory Committee Activities
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This month, the River to Sea TPO Board and Advisory Committees will receive presentations on reThink Your Commute and the TPO's guiding resolutions and project applications for the annual Call for Projects.
Additional information on TPO Board and Advisory Committee meeting agendas is available at River to Sea TPO Agendas.
Information on the River to Sea TPO's public outreach and activities is available at Outreach & Activities.
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