SAPULPA, Okla. — The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office and INCOG have launched a public awareness campaign to educate the public on the rules of the road in hopes of reducing the number of fatalities involving pedestrians and bicyclists.
The “Travel with Care” campaign says there were 27 pedestrian and cycling fatalities in 2021 and 2022.
The campaign has set up a moving display inside the Sapulpa Public Library.
Every pair of shoes inside the display represents a pedestrian or bicyclist who were fatally hit by cars.
27 shoes representing pedestrians who were hit by cars.
“It’s very heart wrenching for sure. It evokes a lot of emotion. I did cry so we stepped away, myself and a few librarians,” said Melodie Reader, a librarian.
The campaign hopes to educate people about the role they play in keeping everyone safe while in transit.
Zhao Wu, a transportation and public outreach planner for INCOG says the majority of the deaths happened when it was dark outside.
She says drivers need to do their part by remembering to turn on their headlights and yield to pedestrians on crosswalks at intersections.
She says pedestrians and bicyclists need to do their part as well.
“At dark, you guys should wear something reflective, some bright color,” said Wu.
Wu says the number of deaths in the Tulsa area from bicycle and pedestrian fatalities increased from 19 in 2019 and 2020 to 27 in 2021 and 2022.
The ages of those who died ranged from 14 to 91 years old.
For more information on the campaign, click here.
