Fountain Hills was the site of yet another vehicle accident involving a pedestrian Monday morning, this time a jogger making their way along Shea Blvd. This news comes just a few weeks following the triple fatality incident that occurred in the heart of downtown.

At this point, it should be clear that we’ve got a serious problem on our hands. And it’s not a problem solely tied to Fountain Hills, either, as we’ve learned recently that Arizona is home to the highest pedestrian fatality rate in the country.

Arizona is a beautiful state, especially this time of year when the winter chill has been shaken off and the summer heat has not yet set in. This encourages more folks to get out and go for a walk, jog or bike ride. It makes sense that a state like Arizona would have more pedestrian deaths than a state that’s buried under rain or snow half of the year, but that fact doesn’t make the recently revealed statistics any easier to stomach or excuse.

We have to keep an eye out for each other. It’s as simple as that.

Whether you’re behind the wheel or on foot, it’s important to keep safety in mind and follow the law. That should go without saying but, in light of recent incidents, we clearly need a reminder.

Speed limits are not suggestions, and you should probably aim lower if you’re driving in inclement weather or have one of those famous Arizona sunrises or sunsets staring you in the face. If you don’t have a hands-free device, maybe ignore your phone until you reach your destination. If you’re out for a stroll, try to use those crosswalks rather than darting across the street and, even then, remember to look both ways before crossing.

This is the type of advice we typically drill into the mind of youngsters, but plenty of full-grown adults have been involved in the mounting number of accidents around the state. It’s the kind of safety measures we can never “outgrow.”

Slow down, cut down on distractions and remember that life can change, or end, in the blink of an eye.