Halloween – Recipes for the Road
September 29, 2025
FDOT District 7 Safety Newsletter
October 6, 2025
| October is National Pedestrian Safety Month, and it’s the perfect time to share the importance of keeping everyone safe on our roads whether we’re walking, rolling, biking, or driving. FDOT is committed to supporting pedestrian safety through a comprehensive safe system approach that combines education, engineering, and enforcement. From intersection lighting retrofits to mid-block crosswalk enhancements to moveable bridge safety upgrades, our infrastructure improvements, paired with public outreach, are designed to protect all road users. Alert Today Florida, Florida’s Initiative to Improve Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety, supports these efforts through their targeted program combining high visibility education and enforcement with strategic community level communications in the 25 counties with the highest representation of crashes resulting in pedestrian and bicyclist serious and fatal injuries. Pedestrian Safety Month gives us all the opportunity to be champions of safety, both in the workplace and out in our communities. Let’s continue to build awareness and share resources to help keep pedestrians safe on Florida roads. Raising Internal Awareness: No matter what office you officially call ‘home,’ we all can play a role in supporting safety 👉Use the attached Teams Background to jump start conversation about pedestrian safety and show your support all month long. 👉Visit Alert Today Florida for educational tip cards and resources. We have attached two handouts created in partnership with Target Zero to spotlight key pedestrian safety tips. 👉Explore FDOT’s Pedestrian Safety webpage to learn more about how our teams are driving change across the state. In the Community: Grass-roots outreach efforts greatly improve safety messaging effectiveness – these one-on-one conversations have far-reaching impacts 👉Spread the word using the NHTSA Pedestrian Safety Month toolkit! This toolkit includes ready-to-use social media posts, graphics, and videos perfect for sharing with your personal or professional digital networks. 👉Bring safety to your clubs and communities! In recent years, walking and running clubs have grown exponentially in popularity. If you’re a member of a walking, running, or bicycling group, consider appointing a ‘Pedestrian Safety Coordinator’ to help everyone keep safety top of mind. In Your Everyday Life: Even when you’re not ‘on-the-clock,’ there are ways to improve safety culture in Florida Tips for Drivers: 👉Drive sober and alert every time you get behind the wheel. Clear thinking and quick reflexes help you respond safely to everyone sharing the road. 👉Follow posted speed limits, especially in areas with foot traffic. Driving at safe speeds gives you more time to react and greatly reduces the risk of crashes. 👉Always stop fully at intersections and watch for pedestrians at crosswalks. Stay focused and free from distractions. Keeping your eyes on the road ensures you’re ready for whatever happens next. 👉Driving carefully at night and be mindful of pedestrians who may not be wearing bright or reflective clothing. Tips for Pedestrians: 👉Use sidewalks and crosswalks. These designated areas are designed to keep you safer and more visible to drivers. 👉Stay focused and aware of your surroundings. Keeping your eyes up and ears open, especially near intersections and driveways. 👉Make eye contact with drivers before crossing. Confirming that drivers see you ensures a safer crossing. 👉In 2023, more pedestrian fatalities occurred in the dark (77%) than in daylight (19%), dusk (2%), and dawn (2%). Wear bright and reflective clothing to increase your visibility. 👉Bring a flashlight and/or wear clip-on flashing lights. In a pinch, use the flashlight feature on your phone. 👉Just like driving, clear thinking and quick reflexes also help you walk safely. Drink responsibly and ensure friends walking home are sober and alert. For additional tips and resources, visit FLHSMV Pedestrian Safety. Every safe choice we make brings us closer to our goal of reducing the number of transportation-related serious injuries and deaths across Florida to ZERO. Pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility between pedestrians and motorists. Thank you for staying alert and making intentional safety decisions. Savannah & the Target Zero Team |
Pedestrian Safety Month Teams Background
