In certain parts of our region, it can be pretty common to see people jaywalking or impatient drivers not giving pedestrians enough time and space to safely cross.
Francis Santiago, a Sparks resident, says he nearly got hit on Tuesday trying to use a crosswalk in downtown Reno, "I was crossing and I did look left and right, and I saw that the person who was driving about to turn on where I was about to cross wasn't looking."
Santiago says he waited until he was able to make eye contact with the driver. That's when the driver came to a complete stop, and Santiago knew it was safe to step in front of the car.
Unfortunately, not everyone has the same experience.
Chris Johnson, Public Information Officer for the Reno Police Department, says, "Currently, for 2025, we've had a total of eight major vehicle accidents involving pedestrians, and unfortunately, five of those pedestrians died as a result of those collisions."
And those crashes are just in Reno.
Nevada Highway Patrol's Sergeant Chris Brown says these injuries and deaths are all preventable, and drivers need to keep a sharp eye on the roads, even in areas where they wouldn't expect to see pedestrians.
"For example, if you're driving on I-80 or U.S. 395 in an area that's restricted to pedestrian traffic, you still must be vigilant for pedestrians because there is a possibility that a pedestrian could be up on the highway for some reason," Brown said.
He says pedestrians also need to do their part in being safe. Wear bright clothing, especially at night. Look both ways before crossing, make eye contact with the driver, use crosswalks and light beams when available, and never ever assume a driver can see you.
