According to recent data, there were 7,522 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in the United States, accounting for 18% of all traffic deaths in 2022. That’s 21 pedestrians killed a day and 145 pedestrians killed a week. Urban areas remain particularly hazardous, accounting for 85% of pedestrian fatalities, with most incidents (78%) occurring between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Arkansas has also seen an increased number of pedestrian fatalities, with 79 tragic deaths in 2022. 

"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. “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.”

The “fourth wall” is a term used in acting to denote the illusion of an invisible barrier that separates actors from their audience. Actors sometimes “break the fourth wall” by speaking directly to their audience, often with attention-grabbing effect. The "Fourth Wall" campaign amplifies the message of road safety and shared responsibility among all road users by calling them to break the fourth wall and be alert when using Arkansas roadways.

The “Fourth Wall” campaign follows the Arkansas Highway Safety Office’s "Extreme Safety" campaign, which ran from September 3 to September 16 and also addressed the pressing concerns surrounding road safety for our most vulnerable road users.

For more information on pedestrian and bicycle safety, or to learn more about National Pedestrian Safety Month in October, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/bicycle-safety or https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety or call the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136.