RALEIGH, N.C. — With Raleigh growing in population at a rapid pace, the North Carolina Department of Transportation is working to implement more tools to help make sure pedestrians are safe.

What You Need To Know

  • 27 pedestrians were hit and killed in Raleigh in 2022

  • Most of these incidents occurred at night

  • NCDOT is implementing more measures to give pedestrians the right of way for safety

Growing up in nearby Chatham County, Ryan Brumfield has watched the population in Raleigh continue to sprout.

And more people means more vehicles on the road and pedestrians on the streets.

“Overall, the last few years we’ve seen significant growth in the Triangle area and growth in traffic accordingly,” Brumfield said.

Overseeing the Integrated Mobility Division for NCDOT, Brumfield’s job is to build connectivity throughout North Carolina for public transportation, as well as for pedestrians and bikers.

One of their primary goals is increasing safety for those who travel the city by foot. 

When hearing 27 people were hit and killed in Raleigh last year, three times the annual average over the last 16 years, Brumfield said the number was alarming and saddening — and that something had to be done.

“We hope there are ways we can address that through building complete streets that are safer for pedestrians. Improving lighting, improving visibility for drivers so that they are more likely to see pedestrians in time,” Brumfield said. “Just creating a safer environment for pedestrians to use our facilities and coexist with vehicles on our roadways.” 

Brumfield says the state is already implementing changes that are giving pedestrians a more obvious right of way to drivers. 

One addition includes providing a leading pedestrian interval, giving foot traffic a head start on cross walks before traffic lights turn green.

“That head start on the vehicle creates a safer environment for pedestrians,” Brumfield said. “They are more likely to be seen by vehicles that are turning, and overall it reduces risks for pedestrians in the intersection.”

And while the number of vehicles on the road will continue to grow every day across the state, Brumfield says it’s important for people to know they are safe too. 

“Whatever the mode that someone is using to get there safely. Whether that’s driving a car or walking or biking or using transit,” Brumfield said. “Everyone is equally prioritized and in the system and can get to places safely.”

Along with adding safety measures to the current roadways, Brumfield is also advising people to make sure they make themselves visible, especially at night when he says most of these tragedies have happened.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is investing $800 million this year into making roadways safer, including $8 million in federal grants for North Carolina to reduce traffic deaths.