Hispanic Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety

FHWA – Safety IDIQ – Task 30 – Hispanic Pedestrian/Bicyclist Project 12/07/05

Radio PSA (B):Mothers: Walking Past

Two Mexican-American women, walking. Traffic noise in background.
M = young mother, recent immigrant; A = older mother, has lived in U.S. for a while

M: No puedo creer el precio de los aguacates…y mira el tráfico, va tan rápido.
M: I can’t believe the price of avocados…and the traffic, it moves so fast!

A. Ya te acostumbrarás.
A: You’ll get used to it. [sound of cars almost crashing]

M: ¿Pero viste eso?!
M: Did you see that?!

A: Sí…a eso jamás me podré acostumbrar.
A: Yes…That’s something I’ll never get used to.

M: ¿Al tráfico?
M The traffic?

A: Al tráfico en ésta esquina.
A: The traffic at this corner.

M: ¿Qué te pasa?
M: Is there something wrong?

A: Hace menos de un año mi hijo murió aquí exactamente.
A: Less than a year ago my son died here.

M: Lo siento.
M: I’m sorry.

A: Le atropelló un coche. En un segundo, mi vida cambió completamente.
A: Hit by a car. In one second, my life changed completely.

M: ¿Era tu único hijo?
M: Was he your only son?

A: El mayor. Su esposa tenía ocho meses de embarazada. No usó el cruce de peatones, dicen que no se fijó en la luz del semáforo.
A: No, he was the oldest. His wife was eight months pregnant. He didn’t use the crosswalk. They say he didn’t pay attention to the red light.

M: Ay, Ana…
M: Oh, Ana . . .

A: Seguramente creyó que el conductor pararía. No se puede pensar así aquí. Tienes que mirar siempre a los dos lados antes de cruzar…antes de que…de que sea demasiado tarde.
A: He probably thought that the driver would stop. You cannot think like that here. You must always look both ways both ways before crossing…before it’s too late.

Voice-over: Cada siete minutos, un peatón muere o es herido en los Estados Unidos. Demasiados latinos se cuentan entre ellos. Mire ambos lados antes de cruzar y respete las senales de trafico. Comparte esto a tus seres queridos.
Voice-over: Every seven minutes, a pedestrian is killed or injured in the United States. Too many Latinos are among them. Look both ways before you cross the street and respect the traffic lights. Teach this to those you love.

Program Contact

Tamara Redmon

202-366-4077

Dick Schaffer

202-366-2176

What’s New

The FHWA Safety Office is continually developing new materials to assist states, localities and citizens in improving pedestrian and bicycle safety. The materials listed on this page were completed recently.

New Spotlight on Pedestrian Safety

New Promoting the Implementation of Proven Pedestrian Countermeasures

Pedestrian Forum - Fall 2011

State Best Practice Policy for Medians

State Best Practice Policy for Shoulders and Walkways

Pedestrian Countermeasure Policy Best Practice Report

The State of Florida is developing a statewide Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. They have set up a project website that includes information about the project, workshop presentations and resources relating to pedestrian safety.

Evaluating Pedestrian Safety Countermeasures

Safety Benefits of Raised Medians and Pedestrian Refuge Areas: Brochure, Booklet

Safety Benefits of Walkways, Sidewalks, and Paved Shoulders: Brochure, Booklet

Pedestrian Safety Strategic Plan