Road traffic crashes kill about 1.24 million people each year. More than one fifth of these deaths occur among pedestrians. Pedestrian collisions, like all road traffic crashes, should not be accepted as inevitable because they are, in fact, both predictable and preventable. Key risk factors for pedestrian road traffic injury are vehicle speed, alcohol use by drivers and pedestrians, lack of safe infrastructure for pedestrians and inadequate visibility of pedestrians. Reduction or elimination of the risks faced by pedestrians is an important and achievable policy goal. Proven interventions exist, yet in many locations pedestrian safety does not attract the attention it merits.

This Pedestrian Safety manual provides information for use in developing and implementing comprehensive measures to improve pedestrian safety. The extent of pedestrian fatalities and injuries, and the importance of addressing the key associated risk factors for pedestrian injury, are examined. The steps outlined for conducting a situational assessment to help with prioritizing interventions and preparing a related plan of action, are intended to assist with the implementation of effective interventions, and evaluation of pedestrian safety measures. While the focus of the manual is on subnational administrative units, the strategies presented can be applied at the national level. It is hoped that the modular structure of this manual enables adoption to suit the needs and problems of individual countries. The manual is applicable worldwide but specifically targets decision-makers and practitioners in low-and middle-income countries.