A brand new evaluation from the Governors Freeway Security Affiliation (GHSA) initiatives that US drivers struck and killed 3,441 pedestrians within the first six months of 2021, up 17% (507 extra lives) from the identical interval the yr earlier than. This projection continues a decade-long development of rising pedestrian deaths on roadways.
GHSA’s annual Highlight on Freeway Security report gives the primary have a look at state and nationwide developments in 2021 pedestrian visitors deaths, primarily based on preliminary information offered by State Freeway Security Workplaces (SHSO) in all 50 states and the District of Columbia (D.C.).
The evaluation discovered that, nationwide, there have been 1.04 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 individuals, up from 0.90 in each 2020 and 2019. The information additionally exhibits that the speed of drivers placing and killing pedestrians rose to 2.3 deaths per billion car miles traveled (VMT) within the first six months of 2021. That’s a rise from the traditionally excessive price of two.2 deaths per billion VMT in 2020 and considerably greater than the speed of 1.8-1.9, which remained regular in 2017-2019. The information evaluation was carried out by Elizabeth Petraglia, Ph.D., of analysis agency Westat.
Pedestrian Fatalities per 1 Billion Automobile Miles Traveled (VMT), Jan-June, 2017-2021
Supply: GHSA.
GHSA suggests {that a} mixture of things is inflicting this improve in each the overall variety of pedestrian deaths and the fatality price. These components embrace a surge in harmful driving that started firstly of the pandemic and has not abated; bigger automobiles which might be extra more likely to injure critically or to kill individuals on foot within the occasion of a crash; roads designed to prioritize fast-moving visitors over slower speeds which might be safer for pedestrians; and insufficient infrastructure comparable to sidewalks and lighting in lots of components of the nation.
To deal with these causes and scale back the variety of pedestrian deaths, GHSA helps a complete resolution primarily based on the Secure System strategy, as outlined within the US Division of Transportation’s Nationwide Roadway Security Technique.
Every of the 5 components of the Secure System strategy—protected street customers, protected automobiles, protected speeds, protected roads and post-crash care—contribute in numerous methods to supply this multi-layered security web that may defend individuals exterior of automobiles.
The rise in pedestrian fatalities over the primary half of 2021 continues a long-term development of roadways being extra harmful for individuals on foot. Over the past decade, pedestrian deaths have skyrocketed by greater than 2,000—from 4,457 in 2011 to six,516 in 2020—a 46% improve. General visitors fatalities are additionally surging. The Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) reported that 31,720 individuals died in crashes within the first three quarters of 2021—the best variety of fatalities in the course of the first 9 months of any yr since 2006.
At a state stage, pedestrian fatalities elevated in 39 states and D.C. in the course of the first half of 2021. In the meantime, 11 states skilled declines within the variety of pedestrians killed by drivers, with three states reporting two consecutive years of declines and two states posting double-digit fatality reductions in 2021.
The evaluation additionally famous that three states—California, Florida and Texas—accounted for 37% of all pedestrian deaths within the first six months of 2021 however are residence to 27% of the US inhabitants. These states have hotter climates, which have a tendency to extend journey on foot, in addition to many city areas the place pedestrians and motor automobiles usually tend to share the street.
GHSA will publish a second, complete Highlight report this spring that can embrace state fatality projections for all of 2021, an evaluation of lately launched 2020 information from NHTSA’s Fatality Evaluation Reporting System (FARS) and an outline of confirmed methods states and communities are using to cut back pedestrian crashes and accidents.
The Governors Freeway Security Affiliation (GHSA) is a nonprofit affiliation representing the freeway security places of work of states, territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. GHSA supplies management and illustration for the states and territories to enhance visitors security, affect nationwide coverage, improve program administration and promote finest practices. Its members are appointed by their Governors to manage federal and state freeway security funds and implement state freeway security plans.
