October is a big month for pedestrian safety! The entire month is Pedestrian Safety Month and October 15 is White Cane Safety Day. Nearly a third of Wisconsin residents are nondrivers, and thousands of state residents who are blind or low vision use a white cane or guide dog to get around. Their safety is everyone’s responsibility! While October is still a month away, the time to get started on Pedestrian Safety Month advocacy is NOW!
First a bit of background: White Cane Safety Day was proclaimed in 1964 by President Lyndon Johnson as a way to raise awareness of statewide White Cane Laws. Wisconsin’s White Cane Law requires drivers to stop at least 10 feet from any pedestrian who is using a white cane or a guide dog. But it does more than that. By promoting greater driver awareness, the White Cane Law enhances the safety of all pedestrians. Pedestrian Safety Month is newer, established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2021.
The Council is working with Gov. Evers and municipal leaders across the state to issue proclamations recognizing Pedestrian Safety Month and White Cane Safety Day. We’re also urging leaders to put in place a variety of measures to improve pedestrian safety, including accessible pedestrian signals, bump outs, and curb ramps at all intersections. You can learn more about these and other safety features on the Pedestrian Safety Month and White Cane Safety Day page of our website, where you will find a wealth of information and resources to support your advocacy.
There are several ways you can get involved in making your community safer for pedestrians. Here are a few suggestions:
- Reach out to your local elected officials to request a Pedestrian Safety Month and/or White Cane Safety Day proclamation. If you get a response, please let us know! We can help with suggested language for a proclamation.
- Help your local officials understand your needs as a pedestrian. Some leaders may not be aware that pedestrian safety is a critical issue! As people with lived experience, we can help them better grasp the importance of good pedestrian infrastructure and understand the features proven to enhance safety.
- Share our articles, fact sheets and social media posts about pedestrian safety and related topics.
Thank you for being an advocate for pedestrian safety in your community!