Valparaiso Marks October as Pedestrian Safety Month

In Valparaiso, the city says it is highlighting National Pedestrian Safety Month by reminding drivers and pedestrians to follow the rules of the road, slow down, and avoid distractions. “As a city committed to being pedestrian friendly, we make safety our top priority,” said Mayor Jon Costas. “Our Valparaiso Police Department does an excellent job of monitoring and enforcing safety rules, but we all agree that education is the first step in making us all safer on the roads.” Valpo says it works to enhance pedestrian safety in three key ways: engineering, education and enforcement, with efforts that include traffic calming features like speed humps. Educational messages will be sent out by the City of Valparaiso in a variety of ways including social media and the city’s website, Valpo.us . Ellen Kapitan, City Council At-Large, initiated the campaign through the City’s Traffic and Safety Committee, alongside city of Valparaiso leadership and staff, a news release said. The committee hosts a meeting the third Monday of the month at Valparaiso City Hall open to the public.  To learn more, visit tinyurl.com/ValpoRoadSafety .“It’s important for us all to be alert and to obey the rules of the road – motorists, pedestrians and cyclists alike,” said Valparaiso Police Chief Andrew McIntyre.“Pedestrian safety is a challenge nationwide and in Valparaiso we all must do our part to keep one another safe.”