BATON ROUGE, La. (WNTZ) – Pedestrian fatalities are climbing in Louisiana even as overall traffic deaths trend downward, safety advocates and athletes warned Wednesday at a Louisiana Highway Safety Commission news conference.

“In the last 10 years in Louisiana, pedestrian fatalities have outnumbered motor vehicle passenger fatalities,” said Lisa Freeman, executive director of the LHSC. “Too many pedestrians are dying in Louisiana, plain and simple. Ordinary citizens just trying to get from point A to point B are getting killed at an alarming rate.”

The event at LSU’s Lod Cook Alumni Center brought together Freeman, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Glenn Ledet Jr., Louisiana State Police Troop A Commander Capt. Bryan Lee, LSU Athletics Hall of Fame basketball star Rudy Macklin, and world-class runner and safety advocate Jenni Peters.

According to LSU’s Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety, 147 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes in Louisiana in 2023 — more than the number of motorcyclists and bicyclists combined.

Ledet said the issue extends beyond traffic safety. “Pedestrian safety is not just a traffic concern, it’s a public health, equity, and quality of life issue for all of our communities across Louisiana,” he said.

Capt. Lee urged motorists to slow down, avoid distractions and be mindful of pedestrians, especially at night. He also called on walkers to take safety measures such as using crosswalks, wearing reflective clothing, walking facing traffic, and avoiding impairment.

Peters emphasized the importance of visibility and awareness for walkers and runners. “You’ve got to see what’s coming at you to avoid it,” she said, recommending reflective vests, blinking lights and other “passive lighting” options to make pedestrians more visible to drivers.

Macklin noted that male pedestrians die at twice the rate of females in Louisiana each year. He encouraged charity “run-walk” events to highlight pedestrian safety through education and outreach.

Freeman reminded drivers that pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists all have a legal right to the road. “Share the road is not just a catchphrase, it’s the law,” she said.

Safety tips offered at the news conference included:

For pedestrians:

• Walk facing traffic to see oncoming vehicles.
• Stay alert and avoid distractions such as texting.
• Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially at night.
• Don’t walk while impaired; nationally, nearly half of pedestrians killed in 2023 had been drinking.

For drivers:

• Watch closely for pedestrians, especially near parked cars and intersections.
• Avoid cellphone use — a pedestrian can cross your path in the time it takes to read a short text.
• Never drive under the influence.