At Least Five Pedestrians Hit by Vehicles in One Week Across Baldwin County as Darker Evenings Raise Risks

At least five people walking along Baldwin County roads were struck by motor vehicles during the first week of November, several of them suffering serious injuries, in a string of crashes that has renewed calls for caution from both drivers and pedestrians as darker evenings and holiday traffic arrive on the Gulf Coast.

At least three of the collisions happened in the late evening hours, and one involved a law enforcement vehicle that struck a pedestrian.

A week of pedestrian crashes

The incidents were spread across the county, from the Eastern Shore to south Baldwin. Among those reported:

• Bon Secour area, Wednesday, Nov. 4: As South Alabama News previously reported, a man walking on the roadway near County Road 49 South and Edward Ewing Lane was struck at about 7:35 p.m. by a vehicle belonging to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office and driven by a sheriff’s office employee. The man was injured in the arm and side, a medical helicopter was dispatched, and the crash remains under investigation.
• Spanish Fort: At around 5:35 p.m., a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in Spanish Fort and sustained injuries.
• Daphne, Friday night, Nov. 6: Another collision involving a pedestrian was reported in Daphne.

Details about the remaining crashes, including the identities of those struck and their conditions, have not been released.

Why this time of year is more dangerous

Jill Kowalski, a former trooper, said crashes in general tend to increase this time of year. It gets dark earlier, and there is more traffic on the road as people head out for holiday shopping and seasonal events.

The timing of this week’s crashes lines up with that pattern. Daylight saving time ended on Sunday, Nov. 1, shifting sunset an hour earlier on the clock. For many people, that means the evening commute, after-work errands and walks home now take place in darkness, when pedestrians are far harder for drivers to see. At least three of this week’s collisions happened in the late evening hours.

Seasonal traffic adds to the risk. Shopping centers along U.S. 98, Alabama 181 and other busy Baldwin County corridors draw heavier traffic as the holidays approach, and community events bring more people out on foot after dark.

Many roads have no sidewalks

Baldwin County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Alabama, and many of its roads were built for a much smaller, more rural population. While pedestrians should use sidewalks where they exist, many rural roads and some city streets in the county do not have them.

Where there is no sidewalk, safety experts advise pedestrians to walk on the left side of the road, facing oncoming traffic, and to stay as far from the travel lanes as possible, usually on the shoulder. Walking against traffic allows a pedestrian to see approaching vehicles and react if a driver drifts toward the edge of the road.

Be seen: reflective clothing and lights

Kowalski said wearing reflective clothing or carrying a lit flashlight can help drivers see pedestrians and prevent collisions.

Dark clothing can make a person nearly invisible to a driver until the vehicle is very close, especially on unlit rural roads. Reflective vests, armbands, light-colored clothing and flashlights or headlamps give drivers more time to see and react.

Safety tips for pedestrians

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks whenever they are available.
• If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left side of the road facing traffic, as far from the travel lane as possible.
• Wear reflective or light-colored clothing and carry a flashlight after dark.
• Put the phone away and keep earbuds out or the volume low so you can hear approaching vehicles.
• Never assume a driver sees you. Try to make eye contact before stepping into the road.
• Avoid walking along roadways when impaired.

Safety tips for drivers

• Slow down, particularly after dark and in areas where people may be walking, such as near shopping centers, neighborhoods and event venues.
• Watch the road shoulders on rural roads, where pedestrians and cyclists often travel.
• Keep headlights on and clean, and use high beams on dark roads when there is no oncoming traffic.
• Eliminate distractions, especially phone use.
• Never drive impaired. Plan a sober ride if you will be drinking.
• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and be especially careful when turning.

A broader rise in crashes

Traffic crashes in Baldwin County appear to have increased steadily in recent years, with more wrecks involving injuries and deaths. As South Alabama News reported in October, the county typically records just under 30 traffic deaths a year, and crash records over the past 18 months show numerous pedestrian deaths, along with fatal head-on collisions on heavily traveled routes such as the Baldwin Beach Express, the Foley Beach Express, U.S. 98 and County Road 32.

Law enforcement agencies in Baldwin County and across the country have attributed the increase to inattentive driving, speeding and impaired driving.

Looking ahead

With Thanksgiving and the holiday shopping season approaching, and with evenings now dark before most people finish work, authorities are urging everyone using Baldwin County roads, on foot or behind the wheel, to slow down, stay alert and make themselves visible.

South Alabama News will provide updates if investigators release more information about this week’s crashes or the conditions of those who were injured.