So far this year, seven people have been killed in traffic incidents in the Granite State.

An alarming number, indeed, considering it’s only 27 days into the year.

The Office of Highway Safety said Friday two of them involved pedestrians, and officials say the deaths highlight the need for both drivers and pedestrians to be more careful.

Of the five other fatal crashes, four involved victims who were not wearing seat belts and were ejected from the vehicles.

The Office of Highway Safety offered the following tips to pedestrians:

Pedestrians should avoid wearing head phones or using cell phones while walking so they can hear car horns or crosswalk signals, they said, and should use flashlights or head lamps at night.

In addition, safety.com offers the following tips for motorists:

• Buckle up: Although a common tip, buckling your seatbelt is essential. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seat belt use helped save over 14,000 lives in 2016.

• Don’t drive too closely: Don’t drive too closely to the vehicle ahead of you while on the interstate. While you might be tempted to rush someone, you could end up putting your life and others lives at risk. If the person ahead of you happens to hit their brakes abruptly, you may not have time to stop and could rear-end them. Leave some extra buffer room, especially on the interstate, between yourself and the next vehicle so you and other drivers can stay safe.

• Watch your speed: Be mindful of your speed while on the interstate. In 2017, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics stated that “[s]peeding continues to be the number one cited driver-related factor in highway fatal crashes.” As tempted as you might be to speed, it could cost you, your riders and other drivers their lives. Always take note the of the speed limit and adjust accordingly.