WalkSafe: Keeping Pedestrians Safe in the "Danger Zone"

About the Program

Category: Civic Education and Public Information (Best in Category)

Year: 2009

Montgomery County’s “WalkSafe! Keeping Pedestrians Safe in the Danger Zone” pedestrian safety program was developed in response to ongoing concerns that non-native English speakers in the county are disproportionately involved in pedestrian collisions. The county developed an innovative approach to educate this very diverse group by creating a free, 24-minute English language video and teacher’s guide for distribution to English-as-a-Second-Language (ESOL) teachers and non-profit groups. Developed with input from ESOL teachers, adult students, and an ESOL curriculum specialist, WalkSafe! is a powerful and flexible teaching tool that consists of five self-contained modules, each of which can be viewed independently, covering basic pedestrian safety concepts. Over 1,000 videos have been distributed to date. The impact of WalkSafe! was measured using a survey that students completed before viewing the video and again a few weeks after watching the video. Results showed a positive change in students’ behavior: 76 percent now cross the street more carefully; a 45 percent increase in students who always obey walk signals; a 93 percent increase in students who know what the pedestrian signal button does; and a 50 percent increase in students who practice safer walking behaviors.