National Pedestrian Safety Month was focus of L-A campaign

AUBURN – The cities of Auburn and Lewiston worked together throughout October — National Pedestrian Safety Month — to educate Mainers on walking and driving safely in order to reduce the number of pedestrian crashes.
As part of a high visibility education effort, the cities worked with partners including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Maine Department of Transportation, Maine Bureau of Highway Safety, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine and other state and local organizations.
The overall effort was aimed at increasing awareness of pedestrian safety issues through social media campaigns, banners, signs and sidewalk stencils, walking audits, crosswalk parties and more. Reflective accessories and informational materials will also be distributed.
This effort took place through Oct. 31 and was focused on the downtown areas of Auburn and Lewiston, with particular focus on high crash locations.
Efforts included placing signs and messaging throughout the downtown areas and at high pedestrian-crash locations as well as handing out informational materials and pedestrian safety items, such as:
Reflective patches for clothing
Social media and local news coverage
Walking audits with residents and special interest groups, such as school students, the elderly and others interested individuals
Crosswalk parties to bring awareness and visibility to crossing pedestrians
Safety demonstration installations at crosswalks.