Walk Wise Program

Walk Wise, Drive Smart: A Senior Pedestrian Safety Program In Hendersonville


Prepared for the national Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Cooperative Agreement DTNH22-05-H-15095
William W. Hunter, UNC Highway Safety Research Center
Rebecca H. Hunter, Center for Aging and Health, UNC School of Medicine

Next to driving or riding in cars, walking is the most frequent mode of transportation for senior adults. Walk Wise, Drive Smart aims to create more pedestrian-friendly environments for senior adults within Hendersonville, NC, and surrounding areas.

Walk Wise, Drive Smart is a neighborhood-based project that is part of the Henderson County Livable and Senior Friendly Community Initiative. The program builds upon established community relationships and uses community input to guide improvements to the walkability of Hendersonville.

Walk Wise, Drive Smart combines educational, encouragement, enforcement and environmental activities to create a safer and more inviting walking community. The program seeks to develop and implement a model that can be replicated in similar settings in North Carolina and beyond.

Funded by the federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Walk Wise, Drive Smart is coordinated by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center in partnership with the community of Hendersonville.

Walk Wise, Drive Smart also receives in-kind support from many state and local organizations. These include:
  • N.C. Governor's Highway Safety Program;
  • N.C. Department of Transportation;
  • UNC Healthy Aging Research Network;
  • Henderson County Council on Aging;
  • N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Division on Aging and Adult Services;
  • Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center; and
  • Henderson County Healthy Aging Council.

Neighborhood Walking Maps: