Though most pedestrians walk familiar routes, this familiarity can lead to inattention and carelessness. Additionally, the pedestrian's path can be changed due to construction or other hazards. Many of these fatalities could have been avoided if the pedestrian and the motor vehicle driver had heeded orange work zone signs. Pavement markings are also cues for pedestrians to safely negotiate the work zone. However, it is always safest to simply avoid the area.
Pedestrian safety remains a major concern.
The US Congress has mandated a National Bicycling and Walking Study . Its goals are to double the percentage of all trips made by bicycling or walking while reducing the current number of injuries and fatalities by ten percent. This five year research and development plan, cosponsored by the Federal Highway Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is designed to contribute to the achievement of these two goals. More information is available at US DOT's Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center . Although only about eight percent of the total traffic crashes in the state are pedestrian crashes, they are more likely to result in serious injury or death.