The purpose of the program is to reduce pedestrian accidents in Baltimore. The program is focusing initially on the pedestrian alcohol problem. Background Alcohol impairment currently represents the single largest pedestrian problem. An adult here is defined as someone aged 14 and older. Approximately 2,500 adult pedestrians who are killed each year are intoxicated.
Many victims drink heavily.
For comparison purposes, a BAC of .10 is considered by most states to be an indication of driving while intoxicated. So we are dealing here with people who have a serious alcohol problem. Baltimore was selected as the test city, and the city agreed to serve as a model through its Walk Smart Baltimore program. An analysis of Baltimore pedestrian crash data for the years 1990 through 1992 revealed that the pedestrian alcohol problem in Baltimore is similar to that in other large cities in the United States. This estimate is based on data obtained on pedestrian crash victims admitted to Shock Trauma during the first six months of 1992.