October is Pedestrian Safety Month: How SADD Chapters Can Step Up

Communities across the country observe Pedestrian Safety Month each October—a time to pause and reflect on the simple fact that, no matter who we are or how we usually get around, we’re all pedestrians at some point during the day. If you walk to school, jog in your neighborhood, or simply walk between parking lots, pedestrian safety is something that touches us all.

Unfortunately, the figures are grim. In 2023 alone, 7,314 pedestrians lost their lives in vehicle crashes in the United States, and another 68,000 were injured. Another way to put this: that’s one death every 72 minutes and one injury every 8 minutes. These aren’t just statistics—they represent family members, friends, classmates, and neighbors whose lives were cut short or forever changed in the blink of an eye.

The purpose of Pedestrian Safety Month isn’t to scare people but to encourage awareness and small behavior changes that save lives. Slowing down, putting away your cell phone, or practicing more defensive driving can truly make a difference. For SADD chapters, this month can be a time to spread the message and encourage safer behaviors among peers, families, and communities.

SADD Quick Tips for Pedestrian Safety Month

SADD chapters nationwide can find creative ways to promote pedestrian safety during October. Students are especially good at coming up with innovative ideas to spread important messages, and this topic is no exception. Below are a few strategies designed to reach your campus and community:

1. Share a Quick Fact

Did you know nearly 50% of pedestrian fatalities happen at night—and almost all of them occur outside intersections? Statistics like this grab attention because they interrupt people in the middle of their scrolling. In our fast-paced, social media–centered world, short and striking facts often leave the biggest impressions. A well-designed infographic or a quick TikTok sharing a surprising stat can make people stop and think in ways a long speech can’t.

By posting facts throughout the month—on bulletin boards, in morning announcements, or on your SADD chapter’s Instagram—you’re planting small seeds of awareness. And sometimes, that quick reminder is all someone needs to rethink their habits on the road.

2. Launch a “Be Seen” Campaign

Visibility is everything. Remind both drivers and pedestrians that slower speeds, good lighting, and being seen truly matter. In cities like Sacramento, police encourage pedestrians to put away earbuds, use crosswalks, and wear reflective clothing at night. SADD clubs can take this further by organizing a “Be Seen” challenge. For example, encourage members to post pictures wearing the brightest, most reflective gear, or plan an evening glow-stick walk to raise awareness about visibility. The message is simple: if drivers can see you—and if you’re paying attention to them—the risk of accidents drops significantly.

3. Community Collaboration

Pedestrian safety isn’t just a school issue; it’s a community-wide responsibility. SADD chapters can partner with local law enforcement, transportation planners, or city officials to host meaningful events. Think about campus safety booths where students hand out reflective stickers or walking tips, or delivering flyers to neighborhood mailboxes with messages like “Slow down,” “Yield to walkers,” or “Text later.” When both students and adults endorse the same message, it reinforces that everyone has a role in keeping our streets safe. Partnerships also amplify your message. Hosting a SADD event with police or city leaders shows that youth voices matter in the broader conversation about safety.

4. Host Walk & Talk Events

Walking isn’t just about getting from point A to point B—it’s a chance to connect. SADD chapters can organize a “walking school bus,” where groups of students travel to school together in a safe and social way. Or plan a walk-and-talk across campus that sparks conversations about health, safety, and community. These events encourage physical activity, reduce traffic congestion, and model safe walking behaviors. They also align with SADD’s mission: creating healthy, connected, and compassionate communities.

5. Publish Easy How-To Tips

Sometimes the best advice is the simplest. Try sharing reminders like these:

• Look before you cross. Make eye contact with drivers whenever possible.

• Use designated crosswalks. Even if you’re in a hurry, those extra seconds can keep you safe.

• Skip the phone. Distraction is just as dangerous for pedestrians as it is for drivers.

These straightforward tips are proven to save lives. Posting them on posters, school signs, or social media keeps the message fresh and visible.

Why This Matters

Pedestrian safety rarely feels urgent until tragedy strikes close to home. But by taking action now—through education, awareness, and grassroots activism—SADD chapters can help prevent those tragedies before they happen.

The truth is, pedestrian accidents don’t have to happen. They can be prevented. Each driver who slows down, each student who puts their phone away before crossing the street, and each community that commits to safer roads is part of the solution.

This Pedestrian Safety Month, let’s hold ourselves and others to a higher standard by taking just a few extra seconds for safety. The impact may go unnoticed in the moment, but the lives saved are beyond measure.

Final Thought

As members of SADD, you already know the power of youth voices in creating safer, healthier communities. Pedestrian Safety Month is a chance to lead by example, start the conversation, and remind your friends that safety doesn’t have to be a hassle—it just requires focus and attention.

At the end of the day, whether you’re behind the wheel, on a bike, or simply walking across the street, we’re all pedestrians. And protecting each other starts with awareness and action.