LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Law enforcement is looking to limit the number of accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists but in order to do so they need you to pay attention.
The Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office introduced a brand new campaign that focuses on making Arkansans aware of staying safe while on the road.
The "Fourth Wall" campaign aims to directly grab your attention to acknowledge the reasons behind pedestrian and bicyclist-related incidents on the road.
"Many of us fail to realize that pedestrians and cyclists are often at higher risk on our roadways,” said Arkansas Public Safety Secretary Colonel Mike Hagar in a press release.
“Whether walking, cycling, or driving, every Arkansan can help make Arkansas a safer place for all road users by staying alert, following safety guidelines, and taking responsibility for road safety," he added.
According to officials with Arkansas State Police, the state of Arkansas has seen an increased number of pedestrian fatalities, with 79 tragic deaths having happened in 2022.
"A lot of people that are on the road driving don't think bicyclists should be on the road, and they'll yell out [for them] to get on the sidewalk. And oftentimes, there's not a sidewalk to get on to," said Coreen Frasier, a board member for Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas.
As an advocate for bicycle safety, she explained that while these issues are rampant in many communities there are still certain factors that others may not take into account.
"In the Heights, there are sharrows, and they look like little bicyclists with little v-lines. They [signify to] share the road. That means if there's a bicyclist ahead of you then watch closely," said Frasier.
Other instances Frasier shared were drivers not noticing the bike lanes, or bicyclists and pedestrians, especially when it's dark.
That's something community member and mother April Panian said she takes into account as a frequent walker in the area who thinks ahead for the safety of her son.
"He has a bicycle, and we stay on the sidewalk, not on the road because I don't trust those bike lanes. Nobody pays attention to those," Panian said. "We got lights for his bike so his bike is all lit up like a Christmas tree, and that way people can see him."
In addition to the recent campaign, other resources in the area are available such as the Little Rock Friendly Drivers Program and the League Cycling Instructor Program— aimed at educating others about how to keep everyone safe on the road.