Number of Annual Pedestrian Fatalities Decreased for First Time Since 2020

Research indicates there has been a decrease in pedestrian traffic fatalities overall since 2022, but nighttime incidents and those in areas lacking sidewalks continue to pose significant risks.

A new report by highway safety experts indicates that there were significant drop in the number of pedestrian traffic fatalities last year, marking the first annual decline since 2020, yet the number of deaths continues to be significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels.

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) released the latest Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State report earlier this year, finding pedestrian traffic fatalities have decreased by about 5.4% since 2022, but remain 14.1% higher than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019.

GHSA researchers used data from January through December 2023, as part of the agency’s annual survey from the State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs) across the country.

According to the findings, there were 7,318 pedestrian fatalities between January and December 2023. Data analysis also found that 29 states had fewer pedestrian deaths compared to 2022, while 21 states had more. Since 2010, pedestrian deaths have increased by 77% compared to a 22% rise in all other traffic fatalities.

The GHSA report warns that there has been a significant decline in traffic enforcement nationwide since 2020, leading to an increase in dangerous driving behaviors, including speeding and impaired driving, which elevate risks for pedestrians.

Additionally, larger, heavier vehicles are becoming more prevalent on American roads, which have been linked to an increased risk of injury or fatality for pedestrians.

The report asserts that many roads are designed to prioritize fast-moving traffic rather than safer, slower speeds for pedestrians. Many parts of the country also lack essential infrastructure, such as sidewalks, crosswalks and adequate lighting, which could help protect pedestrians.

Safe System Approach Could Help Reduce Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities

The GHSA has developed a Safe System approach that aims to prevent pedestrian traffic injuries or fatalities and focuses on building a safer environment. These efforts include reducing vehicle speeds, adding midpoint stopping places between roadways, employing irregular flashing LED lights to alert drivers when pedestrians are crossing, and enhancing roadways with additional lighting and sidewalks.

Enforcing traffic safety laws is crucial to the success of the Safe System, according to the report. Fourteen State Highway Safety Offices are reportedly considering or enacting new legislation aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety. These initiatives include implementing automated speed cameras, “no turn on red” policies, prohibiting parking near crosswalks, requiring drivers to maintain a safe distance from pedestrians and cyclists, and developing awareness programs to educate law enforcement.

States have also begun incorporating community input on preventative strategies, such as speaking with people experiencing homelessness or underserved populations to identify particularly dangerous roads.

Technology both in and out of vehicles can help build safer systems for pedestrians as well. Cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) wireless technology enables vehicles to communicate with one another, roadside infrastructure and pedestrians, allowing them to share real-time information about pedestrians in their path and alert drivers accordingly. Other technologies such as automatic emergency braking (AEB) and pedestrian detection systems are expected to become mandatory by 2029.

“Hopefully, a continued emphasis on the holistic Safe System approach will lead to a further reduction of pedestrian fatalities in 2024 and beyond until we reach the ultimate goal of zero traffic deaths,” the report’s authors said.