Pedestrian safety tips ahead of the busy summer season
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - As summer picks up, roads are becoming more crowded with people walking, biking, running and recreating, which means pedestrian safety is top of mind.
The Alaska Department of Transportation said that pedestrian collisions pick up around July and increase through the rest of the year, encouraging drivers and pedestrians to be on the lookout for one another.
“First and foremost, we want people to look out for each other this time of year with the warmer weather and longer days we’ve got pedestrians, cyclists, all, all types of non motorized users out and about at all hours,” said Justin Shelby, Administrative Operations Manager for DOT.
“So it’s really important for drivers and pedestrians to exercise caution and due diligence.”
Anchorage accounts for the majority of the state’s fatal pedestrian collisions, Shelby said, with speed playing a major factor contributing to accidents.
“Right now, really what we’re focusing on is driver speed,” Shelby said. “So you’ll see the speed carts out on Tudor and Muldoon and reminding drivers to slow down those areas. We expect to be moving those around the city throughout the summer.”
Tudor Road and Muldoon Road are two of the areas where pedestrian collisions occur most often, with several of them fatalities, Shelby said.
Last year, Anchorage set a record for pedestrian deaths, totaling 15. There have been eight so far in 2025, with the most recent occurring last week.
The Municipality of Anchorage has also indicated that there may be several abatements this summer at encampments of people who are homeless. Shelby said that it has the potential to increase foot traffic.
The tourist season also brings a larger amount of foot traffic, both in downtown Anchorage, as well as other areas throughout Southcentral, such as the Seward Highway along the Turnagain Arm.
“There’s plenty of distractions, especially during the summer on both sides with the mountain goats and the belugas, and really just the scenic beauty of the Turnagain arm in general,” Shelby said. “So it is a place rife with distractions. It is incumbent on drivers to avoid distractions and stay safe, but also to anybody who’s pulling off the highway there, make sure you pull off in in a safe pull off. Do not cross the highway and exercise caution at all times.”
The Anchorage Police Department also provided a series of tips for pedestrians and drivers in navigating roadways, including:
For Pedestrians:
- Use Crosswalks: Always cross streets at designated crosswalks or intersections. Avoid jaywalking.
- Be Visible: Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially during low-light hours or Alaska’s darker seasons. Carry a flashlight when walking at night.
- Avoid Distractions: Stay off your phone and remove headphones when crossing streets. Make eye contact with drivers before stepping onto the road.
- Obey Traffic Signals: Wait for the “walk” signal and check all directions before crossing.
- Walk Facing Traffic: If sidewalks are not available, walk on the shoulder facing oncoming traffic.
For Drivers:
- Yield to Pedestrians: Always stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. Be especially cautious in school zones and neighborhoods.
- Stay Alert: Eliminate distractions. Watch for pedestrians at all times, especially in low-visibility conditions.
- Slow Down: Drive at safe speeds and be prepared to stop unexpectedly, particularly in high foot-traffic areas.
- Follow the Law: Obey all traffic signs and signals. Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
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