The Connecticut Department of Transportation has launched a campaign asking drivers to be more aware of pedestrians on the roadways with an emphasis on protecting senior citizens for Older Americans Month.

May is Older Americans Month, and DOT spokesman Josh Morgan says the agency wants to remind drivers to slow down and pay attention behind the wheel.

Preliminary data for 2022 showed that 69 pedestrians were killed in Connecticut traffic-related incidents, with 18 of those 69 people over 65 years of age.

An estimated 1,210 pedestrians were injured, with 162 of those pedestrians age 65 or above.

Morgan says more people hit the roadways as the temperature warms up in Connecticut - and not just in cars or motorcycles.

“Slow down, pay attention, keep yourself and everybody else on the roadway safe. It’s all of our responsibility to get to our destination," Morgan says.

The DOT says pedestrians are one of the most vulnerable groups on the road.

Morgan says follow the speed limit and slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or entering a crosswalk.

“All it takes is that split second for a crash injury or death to happen,” Morgan says.