CPD respond to uptick in pedestrian fatalities

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Chattanooga Police responded to the uptick in pedestrian fatalities this year.

There have been 15 reported deaths as of October 2023, compared to only three reported last year.

Major Danny Jones provided precautions for pedestrians when crossing intersections.

“Walk in the crosswalks. Please use the crosswalks. It helps you be visible before entering the intersection. Make eye contact with the drivers that are coming towards you. That way you can see them, so hopefully you can see the reaction to whether or not you should or should not cross,” Jones said.

Jones said that out of the fatalities CPD has worked so far, about 66% of those deaths were the pedestrians fault.

This partly due to individuals being distracted on their phones or ignoring traffic signals.

He recommends drivers also paying extra attention and being aware of populated areas.

CPD recommend pedestrians to wear reflective gear when it is darker, and using extra precaution when walking on busy streets.