I’ve never given much thought to pedestrian safety because I’ve never been in harm’s way or seen pedestrians at risk. That’s until two months ago. In February I attended a conference in Houston.

Mayors and team leaders from 85+ cities are preparing to attend a Safer People, Safer Streets Summit in March, as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) “Mayors’ Challenge for Safer People and Safer Streets” – an initiative intended to make bicycle and pedestrian safety a priority on the nation’s roads.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a final rule requiring rear visibility technology in all new vehicles under 10,000 pounds by May 2018. This new rule will significantly reduce the risk of fatalities and serious injuries caused by backover accidents.