Delta Health System Takes Action to Address Pedestrian Safety in Greenville

With pedestrian versus auto accidents continuing to pose serious public safety concern in Greenville, Delta Health System is taking data-driven steps to reduce injuries and save lives through prevention, education, and community partnership.

An analysis of local trauma data reveals clear and troubling trends. Nearly half of pedestrian-related incidents occur between 6:00 p.m. and midnight, when visibility is reduced but traffic volume remains high. Approximately 40 percent of incidents take place along Highway 82, identifying it as a primary high-risk corridor. One in three injured pedestrians requires transfer to a higher level of care due to the severity of their injuries, placing significant strain on emergency medical services.

The data also highlights important equity concerns. Incidents disproportionately impact African American males, and age does not appear to be a protective factor, indicating risk across all demographics. At least 35 percent of incidents involve alcohol or illegal drug use, reinforcing the need for layered enforcement and environmental safeguards. Seasonal spikes are observed during October–November and May, coinciding with daylight savings time changes.

“These injuries are not random,” said Melissa Haley, Trauma Program Director at Delta Health System. “We see predictable patterns in when, where, and how pedestrians are being injured. That tells us prevention is possible, but it requires a coordinated approach that goes beyond education alone.” Haley emphasized that progress depends on strong collaboration beyond the hospital walls. “We are grateful to work alongside Representative John Hines and MDOT Executive Director Brad White as part of a true collaborative partnership,” Haley said. “By bringing trauma data, transportation expertise, and legislative leadership to the same table, we can focus on practical solutions that make a real difference. This kind of teamwork allows us to move from reacting to injuries to preventing them before they happen.”

Delta Health System has already launched community outreach efforts focused on pedestrian and driver awareness through local media and social platforms. Messaging emphasizes visibility, attentiveness, and shared responsibility among all roadway users, reinforcing the idea that everyone is a pedestrian at some point.

As part of these efforts, high-visibility safety vests have been distributed to vulnerable populations, particularly individuals who rely on walking as their primary mode of transportation. The most recent donation includes safety vests provided to Sacred Space and the greater

Greenville community, purchased through funding from the Delta Regional Healthcare Foundation. The vests are designed to increase visibility and help prevent injuries, especially for pedestrians walking at night or in early morning hours and those spending time near busy roadways.

“Giving back to the community we serve is at the heart of Delta Health System’s mission,” said Iris Stacker, Chief Executive Officer of Delta Health System. “Through the generosity of the Delta Regional Healthcare Foundation, we are able to support meaningful initiatives like this one that help keep our neighbors safe and demonstrate our ongoing investment in the health of Greenville and the surrounding areas.”

According to Haley, the vests address a critical safety need seen daily in the trauma setting. “Our Emergency Room team sees far too many preventable injuries involving pedestrians,” she said. “These safety vests may seem simple, but they are an effective tool to help drivers see people more clearly, especially in low-light conditions. Our goal is to promote awareness and help keep individuals safe before injuries ever occur.”

While education and visibility initiatives are essential, Delta Health System emphasizes that they must be paired with broader system-level solutions. Trauma data, combined with Mississippi Department of Transportation traffic metrics and the state’s Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment, demonstrates that pedestrian injuries along Highway 82 are both predictable and preventable.

Under the Safe System Approach, roadway design must account for human vulnerability and reduce the likelihood that a single mistake results in catastrophic harm. Proven strategies such as targeted speed management, enhanced lighting, visibility improvements, and pedestrian-focused infrastructure changes can significantly reduce serious injuries along corridors carrying high traffic volumes.

“Hospitals and EMS see the consequences when prevention fails,” Haley said. “Transportation planning, enforcement practices, and policy decisions determine whether those injuries happen in the first place.”

Stacker added that the safety vest donation is part of a broader commitment to injury prevention and collaboration. “Delta Health System also recognizes the critical role of law enforcement and city safety officers in preventing pedestrian injuries and improving roadway safety and appreciates the leadership of Police Chief Marcus Turner and Deputy Chief Billy Barber with the Washington County Sheriff’s department. By sharing trauma data and working collaboratively with local police, first responders, and city officials, the health system supports enforcement strategies that protect both pedestrians and drivers. These partnerships reinforce a team-based approach to public safety—one that combines education, enforcement, and environmental improvements to reduce risk, enhance visibility, and create safer streets for the entire

community,” she said. “Preventing pedestrian injuries is not just a healthcare issue, it is a transportation, enforcement, and public safety responsibility.”