A dash camera captured a frightening close call in Middlefield, showing a truck apparently passing a vehicle and nearly striking a man crossing the road. This incident comes as advocates continue raising concerns about pedestrian and bicyclist safety in Connecticut.

New Safety Features

According to state data, 647 pedestrians and bicyclists have been involved in crashes so far this year, resulting in nine deaths. Aaron Goode of the New Haven Friends of the Farmington Canal Greenway said, “It’s reckless driving. It’s distracted driving, and it’s bigger vehicles. I think it’s kind of a perfect storm of negative conditions that are contributing to a pedestrian and bicycle fatality crisis that we’re facing.” For Goode, the issue is personal. Nine years ago, he was riding his bike when he was struck by a truck.

Now, after years of advocacy, supporters are celebrating the completion of a $2 million project designed to improve safety at crosswalks along the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail. The project upgraded 12 crossings in New Haven and Hamden. The crossings are now raised and equipped with flashing beacons that can detect approaching bicycles.

Local Efforts

During a ribbon-cutting ceremony, local officials and advocates highlighted the improvements as part of a broader effort to reduce crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists. New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said, “If you go around New Haven, we’re putting in all kinds of infrastructure to help slow people down and keep people safe with speed humps and other projects like this with the goal of getting our pedestrian/bicycle fatalities to zero.” One of the upgraded crossings is at the location where Goode was hit. He believes the new safety features could help prevent similar crashes in the future.

Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.