Understanding and Preventing Pedestrian Crashes and Fatalities
Every year, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) releases a detailed report called “Spotlight on Highway Safety” to provide essential information about pedestrian safety across the country.
This year’s report has three main sections. The first section gives predictions for pedestrian fatalities in 2022 based on early data from the states. It also analyzes the pedestrian fatality data from 2021 collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In addition, the report discusses strategies to reduce pedestrian crashes, injuries, and deaths. Some of the preliminary information has been adjusted slightly to ensure the data is accurate. A preliminary report was released in February with data from the first six months of 2022.
According to this data, GHSA estimates that 7,508 pedestrians died in traffic accidents in 2022. This is a 1% increase compared to the 7,443 pedestrian deaths recorded in 2021. It shows that pedestrian fatalities have been increasing over the years, and the number of deaths in 2022 is the highest since 1981.
The second part of the report looks closely at the 2021 data from the NHTSA. It explores various aspects of pedestrian fatalities, such as the rate of deaths compared to the population in each state, where and when the accidents happened, and whether factors like speeding or alcohol were involved. It also examines the types of vehicles involved in these accidents.
The last part of the report presents examples of efforts made by states and communities to understand the causes of pedestrian accidents and prevent them from happening in the future. It highlights the Safe System approach, recognizing that people make mistakes and are vulnerable. The report emphasizes the importance of implementing multiple safety measures to protect everyone on the road. By sharing these initiatives, the report aims to inspire actions that will reduce pedestrian accidents and save lives in the future.
Pedestrian Deaths in the U.S.
In just one year, from 2020 to 2021, the number of pedestrians who died in accidents increased by 16%. This is a higher increase than other traffic fatalities, which only increased by 10%. But what’s even more concerning is the long-term trend. Since 2010, pedestrian deaths have skyrocketed by a staggering 77%, while other types of traffic fatalities have increased by 25%.
In 11 years, the government’s data shows a worrisome pattern in the number of pedestrians who died in the United States. It began with 4,302 deaths in 2010 and has steadily increased to an estimated 7,624 deaths in 2021. Even more alarming is that these pedestrian fatalities made up nearly 18% of all the deaths related to traffic accidents in 2021. This is the highest percentage seen in over ten years.
Pedestrian Deaths in California
In 2022, the United States experienced the highest pedestrian deaths in 41 years. With 7,500 fatalities, the number of lives lost keeps increasing yearly. Factors like alcohol, reckless speed, and inadequate infrastructure play a significant role in these accidents. This is especially concerning for states like California, which has witnessed a 10% rise in pedestrian deaths over the past three years.
California, known as the most dangerous state for pedestrians, once again recorded the highest fatalities, with 1,100 deaths. These alarming figures highlight a severe traffic safety issue in the Golden State. At a time when more people are walking to work or engaging in outdoor activities, the risk of being struck by a car is growing.
The data collected over recent years clearly demonstrate the dangerous nature of California’s roads for pedestrians. Approximately 25% of all traffic collisions in California result in pedestrian fatalities. Shockingly, the driver flees the scene in one out of every four fatal collisions.
Consistently topping the list of states with the highest number of pedestrian deaths, California’s statistics from the 2013 Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities Report reveal a doubling of pedestrian fatalities from 612 victims in 2012 to 1,100 victims in 2022. The number of pedestrian deaths has increased by 10% in the last three years and by a staggering 77% in the past decade. This equates to a death rate of 2.5 per 100,000 residents, ranking California as the fifth worst state in the country regarding pedestrian safety.
Strategies for Mitigating Pedestrian Fatalities and Injuries
The report explores the efforts made by states and communities to improve pedestrian safety. It discusses additional measures that can be taken, focusing on six fundamental principles, the Safe System approach. These principles also guide the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy, which aims to achieve zero traffic fatalities.
- Saving Lives and Preventing Serious Injuries: The Safe System approach focuses on eliminating crashes resulting in death or severe injuries rather than preventing all accidents. This means recognizing the vulnerability of pedestrians and making their safety a top priority.
- Understanding Human Mistakes: People are not perfect, and the Safe System approach acknowledges that. It emphasizes designing a system that reduces fatalities and serious injuries when accidents do happen. For example, reducing vehicles in areas with many pedestrians dramatically improves their chances of surviving a collision.
- Protecting Vulnerable Humans: People have physical limits regarding surviving crashes. A safe transportation system should take these limitations into account. While cars have become safer, pedestrians don’t have the same protection as airbags.
- Everyone’s Responsibility: The Safe System approach recognizes that preventing fatalities and serious injuries on our roads is a shared responsibility among drivers and pedestrians alike.
- Acting Proactively: Identifying and addressing safety issues in the transportation system before accidents occur is better. For example, enforcing traffic laws to prevent risky behaviors like speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving can help avoid crashes. Gathering input from community members about areas where they feel unsafe while walking or where near misses occur can also inform proactive strategies.
- Building Redundancies: Transportation and safety experts must strengthen all aspects of the system so that if one part fails, another can provide the necessary protection. For instance, giving pedestrians a head start with particular signal timings (leading pedestrian intervals) ensures that drivers can see them clearly before turning, reducing the risk of accidents caused by blind spots.
According to the report, following these principles and taking action can prevent more pedestrian fatalities and create safer roads for everyone.
Key Takeaways
The most recent data from state and national sources confirm that the problem of pedestrian safety on American roads is getting worse. Although the projected increase in pedestrian deaths for 2022 is lower compared to recent years, it still represents the highest number of pedestrian fatalities since 1981.
In 2021, excessive speed continued to be a growing factor in many pedestrian deaths for the second year. Alcohol impairment was reported in a higher percentage of pedestrians who were fatally injured (30.5%) compared to the drivers involved in these accidents (19%). Most pedestrian fatalities occurred at night, and a significant portion happened in areas without sidewalks.
On a positive note, more states are adopting a Safe System approach to reduce crashes involving pedestrians and vehicles. This approach, successful in other countries for many years, aims to prevent accidents by implementing comprehensive safety measures.
Although the pedestrian safety crisis is still a concern, there is a growing awareness of the need for proactive strategies and evidence-based approaches to improve pedestrian safety and prevent tragic incidents on our roads.
The following video from Wall Street Journal explains why pedestrian-related accident deaths are rising.
California Personal Injury Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer. We are here to assist you if you or a loved one have experienced severe injuries in a pedestrian accident. Please contact our law firm at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for compassionate, free and friendly advice. Our dedicated legal team has supported injured individuals since 1982, helping them secure full compensation for their accident cases. Look at our successful verdicts and settlements record to see how we have helped others in similar situations.
Photo by cody lannom on Unsplash
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