An uptick in pedestrians being hit by cars in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area has officials sounding the alarm.
Three crashes just this week resulted in the death of three pedestrians.Police now are warning drivers and pedestrians to be aware and alert ahead of the Flying Pig Marathon on Sunday morning
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In Burlington, Kentucky, a 31-year old man was killed after a car struck him on Burlington Pike.
According to a study by AAA, 65 percent of fatal hit-and-run crashes nationwide are pedestrians or cyclists.
"You don't have any protection other than your clothes, and that doesn't offer you any protection.So if you have a collision with a car most of the times, you are going to end up on the losing end," Cincinnati Police Sgt. Christopher Taylor said.
Two other pedestrians were killed in crashes Thursday night.A man was killed on Glenway Avenue in East Price Hill, the other was on John Gray Road in Springfield township.Neither of these pedestrians were in a marked crosswalk.
Police want to remind the thousands working their way to the Flying Pig Marathon Course to use crosswalks and common sense to stay safe.
"Oh yeah, absolutely, you know, you want to wear something a little bright if it's dark out ... and also just allowing yourself plenty of time to get to the start," Laura Hennigan of Chicago said.
Cincinnati Police Sgt. Chad Taylor also warns drivers to check road closures Sunday before driving downtown to avoid confusion and potential crashes.
"Just always be aware of your surroundings and don't follow that GPS, it might lead you in the wrong direction," Taylor said.
A study by AAA shows more than 2,000 pedestrians and bikers were killed in crashes in 2016, and that number rises each year.
Runner Ian Adams is focused on Sunday's race, but he hopes everyone keeps safety as a top priority.
"It's a big deal to watch out for everybody. There are going to be runners out there, there's going to be spectators everywhere, little kids, watching, cheering everybody on so it's definitely important to make sure you're paying attention out there," Ian Adams of Loveland said.
Officials say the best way to avoid any type of crash while behind the wheel is to just be aware, patient and cautious.
