Deadly season for pedestrian crashes as sunlight decreases

The Minnesota Department of Transportation classifies this month as the deadliest time of the year for pedestrians.

“The days are getting a little shorter so things are darker, but people are still out,” said Amber Dallman, MnDOT bicycle and pedestrian coordinator.

When compared to every other month, October saw the most pedestrian crashes last year followed by September and November. It’s a fall trend that seems to repeat itself year after year.

With the sun setting earlier, it’s that busy evening commute time when the number of crashes spike.

“I don’t think we can definitively say it’s the sun or the angle of the sun,” said Dallman. “I think what we can say is that the time of day does have an impact on when we see crashes.” 

So with the change of season should come caution and an extra look each way.

“Make eye contact with those drivers, use good judgment and common sense in stepping out,” said Dallman. 

MnDOT officials say both motorists and pedestrians were equally at fault in the more than 1,000 pedestrian crashes that were reported last year.