“Brake for Bears” steps out another year

brake2012The University of Central Arkansas Police Department and the Student Government Association are promoting pedestrian safety through the “Brake for Bears” campaign scheduled for Wednesday, April 2.

Pedestrians, drivers and bicyclists along traffic light crosswalks will receive educational flyers from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. from UCAPD and volunteers.

This marks the fourth year and eighth time the UCAPD and the Student Government Association have supported pedestrian safety awareness through the “Brake for Bears” campaign. The groups conduct two events each year. The fall campaign focuses on crosswalks, and the spring campaign focuses on traffic light crosswalks.

“No matter who has the right-of-way, we all need to be alert. Pedestrian safety is everyone’s business,” Arch Jones Jr., director of organizational & community services for UCAPD.

In the United States, 4,280 pedestrians were killed and an estimated 70,000 were injured in traffic crashes in 2010 according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. On average, a pedestrian was killed every two hours and injured every eight minutes in traffic crashes.