The District ranks third on a list of the safest cities for pedestrians, according to a study commissioned by Liberty Mutual Insurance. Released Oct. 7, the Liberty Mutual Insurance Pedestrian Safety Index lists the 15 safest pedestrian cities based on statistics reported by the cities and surveys of residents’ perceptions of safety. The District rates behind Seattle and Boston and just ahead of San Francisco and New York.
Top 15 Safest U.S. Cities for Pedestrians
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Source: Liberty Mutual Insurance Pedestrian Safety Index
“The goal of the Liberty Mutual Insurance Pedestrian Safety Index is to recognize the U.S. cities that are taking exceptional measures to keep their streets safe and to help others across the country learn from those best practices," according to David Melton, managing director of global safety for Liberty Mutual Insurance. Features highlighted by the company include adequate crossing time, visible crosswalks, sufficient street lighting and good signage. While releasing the study, Liberty Mutual Insurance also listed safety tips for drivers and pedestrians:
Drivers:
- Don’t use cell phones while driving
- Drive slowly and be prepared to stop quickly, especially in residential neighborhoods and school zones and when approaching crosswalks
Pedestrians:
- Don’t use cell phones while crossing the street
- Use sidewalks and crosswalks and wait for the walk signal
- Look both ways, even when there is a walk signal or stop sign
More highlights from the Liberty Mutual Insurance study are available here. The insurance company also provides a link to the District’s 2014 Highway Safety Performance Plan.