Research from an Oregon State University Study shows that as many as 10 percent of drivers are completely unaware of pedestrians in crosswalks.
Researchers at U.S.F's Center for Urban Transportation Research (C.U.T.R.) are working with local and State Agencies to find better way to get pedestrians across the street safely.
The main issue, according to the OSU Study was the "Permitted Left Turn." At the normal, three-head signal, both pedestrians and cars get the single green light at the same time. Cars pull into the intersection, wait for a gap in the oncoming traffic, then make the turn, many times unaware pedestrians are also crossing the road.
Pei-Sung Lin Ph.D. Program Director of Intelligent Transportation Systems, Traffic Operations and Safety at C.U.T.R. says there are three things necessary to lower the total number of crashes involving pedestrians; better engineering, which includes intersection design, signs and signals; better enforcement of existing laws, and education.
This fall, USF hopes to begin a new pedestrian safety study in cooperation with the City of St Petersburg, testing signs made specifically for pedestrians, reminding them to look both ways before stepping out into the crosswalk.
For more information on pedestrian safety programs in Tampa Bay, visit the Walk Wise Tampa and Alert Today Arrive Tomorrow websites.