At first, it was a near-perfect crosswalk interaction.
I was extra mindful to stop at the white crosswalk line. A man was about to cross, and we made eye contact as he stepped into the street. It was a beautiful autumn day—sunlight filtered through the golden leaves, the air was cold and crisp. All was well. Until…
No sooner was the man halfway across the crosswalk than a large truck with lifted wheels revved its engine and made a careening left turn. Even from my vantage point it looked like the truck nearly clipped the man. Mouth agape, the man turned and lifted his hands before hurrying the rest of the way across.
I shook my head. What could possibly be so urgent that that truck driver needed to make this guy crossing the street fear for his life?
In this case the man was shaken but safe. But too many times, the outcome is far worse.
In 2023, 31 people were killed while walking. Sixty-five were seriously injured.
These are all people—walking home, crossing the street, out for a stroll.
These numbers are nearly double from the previous year.
Why the sudden spike? It’s hard to say exactly. But data and behavior analysis points to a few major challenges.
Here, we’re sharing:
- How the language we use impacts the way we view traffic safety
- Data from the past five years around crashes involving people who walk and/or bike
- Practical tips on how you can help keep Idaho roads safe for everyone
Words matter: Focus on the people
Bill Kotowski has been in the transportation world for nearly a decade. As the ITD Grants and Contracts Officer and former Public Information Specialist, he spends time looking at crash and behavior data, seeking to better understand how we can all make Idaho roads safer.
What he’s noticed is the language around transportation can be dehumanizing.
“Something I’ve asked myself is—why do people tolerate the violence that happens in traffic crashes? Why do we treat is as the ‘cost of mobility’?” Kotowski said. “I’ve come to the conclusion that a big part of that is because we don’t use the right words to talk about it.”
A Google search for the words “traffic crash” reveals how the language we use can be very removed from the people impacted:
“How is delayed traffic more important than the fact that someone was killed on their way to work, school, or the park?” Kotowski asks. “We need to be better about our word choices.”
For instance:
Pedestrians are people who walk.
Cyclists are people who bike.
Drivers are people who drive.
“People are the most important part of the transportation system, and each conversation should start with them in mind,” Kotowski said.
Behavior matters: The top contributing causes in fatal crashes from 2019-2024
Words matter, and actions matter. We examined data from the past five years (2019-2023) to determine the most common contributing causes of severe and fatal crashes involving people who were walking or biking.*
Here’s what we found:
Failure to yield: Failing to yield is one of the top contributing causes in fatal crashes that involve someone walking or biking.
- In 46% of fatal crashes with a bicyclist, the person biking failed to yield.
- In 11% of fatal crashes with a pedestrian, the person driving failed to yield.
- In 16% of fatal crashes with a pedestrain, the person walking failed to yield.
As a person driving a car, you are responsible for looking out for people walking or biking as they are more vulnerable.
Distracted driving: Another one of the top contributing causes is distracted driving.
- Drivers not paying attention was a contributing cause in 15% of fatal crashes involving a person walking.
- People walking not paying attention was a contributing caues in 9% of fatal crashes.
Impaired driving: Data shows that when people are impaired by drugs or alcohol, the risk of a fatality goes up—no matter if you’re driving, walking, or biking.
- 12% of fatal crashes involving someone walking also involved an impaired driver,
- 20% of fatal crashes involving someone walking also involved an impaired pedestrian.
Also of note: data from the past five years consistently shows that 40% of all pedestrian crashes happen between October and December.
*All data pulled from Idaho Transportation Department’s Crash Report 2019-2023.
“People are the most important part of the transportation system, and each conversation should start with them in mind."
How your words and actions can make Idaho a better place
Keeping people safe on the roads involves me, you, and everyone who uses Idaho transportation. These are our roads; how we think about them, speak about them, and behave on them matters. So what can you do?
Use people-first language
For one, be mindful of the language you use and make people the focus.
Pedestrians are people who walk.
Cyclists are people who bike.
Drivers are people who drive.
When speaking about traffic safety or reading headlines in the news, use this people-first lens to shape your perspective. That man walking across the street isn’t just a “pedestrian” or “somebody in the way of where you’re going.” He’s somebody’s loved one. Recognize the severity of a fatal crash where someone dies.
Let it impact you and influence your behavior on the road for the better.
Use these top 3 tips to keep Idaho roads safe for everyone
Speaking of behavior—here’s how we can help keep each other safe on Idaho roads, whether you’re walking, biking, or driving:
If you’re walking:
- Be predictable. Cross at crosswalks or intersections where possible. Look left, right, and left again for cars.
- Never assume a driver sees you. Try to make eye contact whenever you’re crossing the street.
- If you’re crossing the street somewhere other than a crosswalk or intersection, yield to drivers.
If you’re biking:
- Ride a bike that fits you—bikes that are too big are hard to control.
- Ride with the same flow as traffic. Don’t ride more than two wide on the road, so cars can easily pass.
- Obey street signs, signals, and road markings, just like a car. Always pause at yield signs and look both ways. Use hand signals when turning.
If you’re driving:
- Be an engaged driver. Watch for people at all times.
- Yield to people walking and biking. Always stop at the stop bar (the white line ahead of the crosswalk that gives space for people walking). Look for people at crosswalks and intersections, when turning right at a red light, and when backing up. On the road, give cyclists room.
- Follow the speed limit. Speed limits are designed to protect the people inside and outside your car by ensuring you have a stopping distance.
A collective effort
Reducing the number of fatalities on the road and keeping Idaho roads safe takes each and every one of us. By speaking thoughtfully about transportation and the people involved and taking steps to be engaged and attentive while driving, walking, or cycling—you can help keep Idaho roads safe for everyone.
Share with a friend. Thanks for driving safe, Idaho.
