Busy intersections, high-speed crossings, and stops around sharp curves can pose serious danger to drivers and pedestrians – especially at night and in rain, snow, or fog. Whether posted on highways or back roads, in suburban neighborhoods or city streets, traffic safety signs communicate warnings, directions and other essential information. And while these signs do not have to be lit to be effective, lights certainly help make drivers more aware of them and improve traffic control.

Improving the country’s infrastructure has been making headlines this year, with a focus on the need for federal funding to support projects of national, state and local importance. The U.S. Senate approved a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill in early August, allocating billions of dollars for everything from ports and public transit to road safety and water systems. Although the legislation faces an uncertain future in the House, it’s likely that a version will pass by the end of this year.

With the lifting of most COVID restrictions, people are eager to get out and enjoy all that summer has to offer. The array of outdoor fairs, flea markets, parades, sporting events, and concerts, coupled with employees returning to the workplace, is resulting in more traffic – both vehicular and pedestrian – than we’ve seen in a very long time.

Bollards are a familiar site in both urban and suburban environments. These short, sturdy posts are common in parking lots and parks, along streets and sidewalks, near office buildings and storefronts, and even inside warehouses and other industrial buildings.

Bollards come in multiple styles and sizes, and are often built to blend into their surroundings. But from a functional standpoint they serve a common purpose: securing and protecting buildings and people by restricting motor vehicle access in specific areas.

We are seeing increased demand for traffic cones and delineator posts, barricades, and various types of signage from hospitals as well as local organizations involved in setting up and managing coronavirus testing sites. Businesses and municipalities that have had to adjust their hours or limit car and pedestrian access to buildings, schools, parking lots, and parks because of social distancing restrictions are also in need of signs and safety products.

September is Pedestrian Safety Month, and despite advances in technology that offer improved protection, pedestrians continue to be vulnerable to accidental injury and death. Here are walking safety tips and other suggestions for keeping pedestrians safe. 

Thousands of pedestrians are killed in motor vehicle traffic accidents each year, and many thousands more are injured. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a pedestrian was killed every 88 minutes in traffic crashes in 2017, which is more than 16 people a day.

Pedestrian safety is a top priority in cities, towns and communities across the country. From posting signs with flashing lights at crosswalks to installing speed bumps to reduce vehicle speeds in areas frequented by pedestrians and cyclists, the focus is on increasing visibility at street crossings and alerting motorists to slow down.

Visible signs indicating detours are a vital tool for preventing accidents and injury, not only for drivers, but for students, faculty, employees, visitors, and construction crews. Learn how to keep compliant.

The return of warmer weather brings with it a proliferation of road building and repair projects, with construction crews and equipment visible along the country’s local streets and highways.

As the number of workers on roads and highways increases, the risk of crashes and fatalities also increases. The risks apply equally to drivers, passengers, bicyclists and pedestrians. It’s no surprise that a host of organizations, including the Federal Highway Administration, state Departments of Transportation and the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, sponsor National Work Zone Awareness Week in early April each year.

Turning back the clocks at the end of Daylight Savings Time means the sun goes down earlier and the days seem much shorter. Fewer hours of daylight also can mean more risks for drivers and pedestrians, as their ability to see clearly declines. Studies examining the impact of Daylight Savings Time show that driver performance deteriorates under poor lighting conditions due to issues like diminished reaction times and the ability to judge stopping distances.