ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

Since 2009, pedestrian deaths have risen significantly, and local leaders are looking for ways to decrease those numbers.

Southwest Medical Center Trauma Coordinator Katie Coleman said there are simple things all pedestrians can do to avoid becoming a statistic.

“We’re watching for the walkways,” she said. “We’re walking on the sidewalk and making sure we are following the rules and what we need to be doing.”

In 2024 alone, Coleman said nearly 7,100 pedestrians were killed, and more than 71,000 were injured. Those numbers are across the U.S., and she said they are important numbers to recognize.

“Those numbers should be lower,” she said. “As drivers, we should be watching pedestrians. We can tie bus safety into this, especially with the kids starting school.”

In recent years in Liberal, USD 480 has changed how traffic is re-routed for pedestrian and bus safety.

“At MacArthur, they have those barriers,” Coleman said. “Those numbers could definitely be improved across the United States, and as drivers, we need to be more cautious about our pedestrians and with our children as well.”

To help the numbers decline, Coleman said both drivers and pedestrians need to do their part to keep everyone safe.

“You have to take accountability for making sure you’re not on the phone, or you don’t have noise cancelling headphones while you’re walking,” she said.

Coleman said SWMC will have more information about bus, pedestrian and Halloween safety at this weekend’s Community Health Fair Saturday at the Seward County Activity Center.

“Last year, we did a school drive,” she said. “We collected backpacks, crayons, and in addition to that, we sent safety feature to the school. I sent bus safety brochures. The goal is to just start bringing more awareness to pedestrian safety for both drivers and pedestrians.”

Coleman likewise advised pedestrians to use the buttons available at some crosswalks to help them cross the street safely.

“It’s going to signal when is the best time to walk,” she said. “Some of them don’t pay attention to it. We need to make sure we’re paying attention to those signs and walking when we’re supposed to walk. That’s how we are getting some of these numbers. We’re being impatient.”

Coleman emphasized not to rely on others to keep people safe.

“Make eye contact with drivers when possible, and wait for a clear and complete stop before crossing,” she said.

Coleman said many of the problems with pedestrian safety are due to a lack of discussion about the topic.

“It’s not something we generally talk about or look at especially with being in a small town,” she said. “We think we’re safe and we don’t need to look out. Everyone’s going to look out for us, but it’s really important.”

Coleman said many accidents involve pedestrians or bicyclists versus cars.

“Those people end up in the ER as trauma cases, and we ship some,” she said. “Some get to walk home, but you never know what’s going to happen. We need to make an effort to decrease those United States numbers for pedestrian kills as well as injuries.”