October is bringing a renewed focus on one of the most basic ways people get around: walking.

National Pedestrian Safety Month is underway, and transportation agencies and safety officials across the country are using the month to remind drivers, pedestrians and other road users about the risks of sharing the road.

The focus comes as pedestrian deaths remain a serious safety concern. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 7,080 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in 2024, or about one pedestrian every 74 minutes.

Two states are taking different approaches this October. In Georgia, officials are pairing public awareness with a reminder about traffic laws. In Maryland, the state is using a monthlong program to encourage walking while also promoting pedestrian safety, accessibility and better-connected communities.

Georgia Kicks Off Pedestrian Safety Campaign

State and local officials gathered in Augusta on Oct. 1 to launch Georgia's National Pedestrian Safety Month efforts.

The Governor's Office of Highway Safety, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Transportation, Richmond County Sheriff's Office and the Governor's Office of Highway Safety East Central Traffic Enforcement Network participated in the event, according to WRDW/WAGT.

One of the main reminders was simple: drivers need to watch for people crossing the road.

Georgia law requires drivers to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, and officials urged motorists to slow down and remain alert. GDOT also reminded drivers to follow the state's Move Over Law when approaching work zones or stationary vehicles with flashing lights on the shoulder.

The timing is particularly important as daylight hours become shorter. More than 80% of pedestrian deaths in Georgia occur at night or in low-light conditions, according to officials cited by WRDW. Halloween also brings more people, particularly children, outside after dark.

Georgia's pedestrian safety numbers show why officials continue to emphasize the issue. The state recorded 286 pedestrian deaths in 2024, up from 192 in 2015. Pedestrian deaths have declined for three consecutive years from 2023 through 2025, but officials say the longer-term trend remains a concern.

GDOT also operates its See & Be Seen campaign, which encourages pedestrians to remain visible and drivers to slow down and watch for people walking.

Maryland Takes a Different Approach

While Georgia's October effort is centered heavily on roadway awareness and enforcement, Maryland is using the month to encourage people to walk and roll while also talking about the infrastructure needed to make those trips safer.

The Maryland Department of Transportation has launched its sixth annual Walktober celebration, a monthlong program focused on pedestrian safety, active transportation, accessibility and health.

Governor Wes Moore has proclaimed October as Walktober in Maryland. The program includes a statewide step challenge, Walk Maryland Day, Walk and Roll to School Day, a Power Hour event and a series of free webinars covering topics such as walkability, pedestrian safety, technology and connected communities.

The state is also encouraging Marylanders to collectively reach 1 million steps during October. Residents can participate by walking or rolling on sidewalks, trails, paths, neighborhood routes and other local spaces.

Walk Maryland Day and Walk and Roll to School Day are scheduled for Oct. 7. Maryland will also host Walkinars throughout the month, including sessions on community-centered transportation and the use of technology and data to improve pedestrian safety.

Safety Goes Beyond Driver Behavior

Programs in Georgia and Maryland point to two parts of the pedestrian safety conversation.

Drivers and pedestrians both have a role in preventing crashes, but roadway design, lighting, sidewalks, crossings and other infrastructure can also affect how safely people move through their communities.

MDOT's pedestrian safety efforts include its Complete Streets Policy, Pedestrian Safety Action Plan and Sidewalk Data Collaboration project. The sidewalk database is designed to help the state identify and prioritize locations for sidewalk and pedestrian safety improvements.

NHTSA similarly uses a broader approach that includes safer people, safer speeds, safer roads, safer vehicles and better post-crash care. The agency's pedestrian guidance also urges drivers to slow down, watch for pedestrians, yield at crosswalks and take extra care at night and in poor weather.

That matters because a pedestrian has little protection when a crash occurs. Even relatively short trips can put people in situations where visibility, vehicle speed or roadway design can make the difference between getting across safely and being struck.

Why October Matters

National Pedestrian Safety Month arrives at a time when many communities are seeing more activity after dark.

Shorter days mean pedestrians can be harder for drivers to see, while Halloween adds another reason for people to be walking in neighborhoods during evening hours. Georgia officials specifically pointed to the combination of reduced daylight and Halloween as reasons for the October safety push.

At the same time, Maryland's Walktober program puts the emphasis on making walking a practical part of everyday transportation and connecting people with safer places to walk and roll.

The message across both states is straightforward: pedestrian safety is not limited to one type of road user. Drivers need to pay attention and yield when required, while pedestrians need to remain visible and use crossings and signals when available.

For transportation agencies, the challenge extends further, to the roads, sidewalks, crossings and other infrastructure that people depend on every day.

As October continues, states are using National Pedestrian Safety Month to bring attention to those challenges and to the everyday choices that can help reduce crashes.