Pedestrian deaths in the US hit a 41-year high recently, which is a very concerning statistic. Whether you’re a student walking to school, a parent jogging in the neighborhood, or someone simply enjoying a stroll around town, this affects all of us.
A recent report by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) revealed that 7,508 pedestrians (the highest number since 1981) were killed by vehicles in the US last year. That’s an average of 20 pedestrians killed a day! (NBCNews.com)
Why the Increase in Pedestrian Deaths?
So, why are we seeing so many more of these sad events? Road safety experts suggest several factors behind this trend:
- A pandemic-fueled increase in reckless driving. “The pandemic brought an increase in reckless habits like speeding and texting while driving…since drivers encountered more open roads and fewer law enforcement officers. Though more people have resumed commuting and road congestion has returned, the dangerous driving trends show no signs of slowing.”
- Skyrocketing sales of trucks and larger vehicles, which, “means that, in a collision, pedestrians are more often hit in the torso, which increases the likelihood of death.”
- Higher rates of people moving to suburbs with roads that are not suited for pedestrians (more people walking with very few crosswalks or sidewalks).
- The amount of distracting technology we are provided with now (cell phones, complex dashboard displays).
Pam Shadel Fischer, senior director of external engagement at the GHSA, said, “We’ve focused so much on making vehicles safer for the people inside, but we’ve sort of lost track of what we are doing for the folks outside vehicles to really address their safety.” (NBCNews.com)
Increase in Pedestrian Deaths at Night
There has also been a substantial increase in nighttime pedestrian deaths. In 2021, three in four pedestrian deaths were in the hours between sunset and sunrise. Pedestrians are harder to see in the dark because they usually don’t wear reflective gear or lights. And most outerwear is dark in color. Our roads also weren’t necessarily engineered with this risk in mind. Rebecca Sanders, the founder of Safe Streets Research and Consulting, said, “We literally taught generations of engineers to design conditions for daylight and not to consider nighttime” (NYTimes.com).
Also, cell phone usage seems to peak in the evenings, as people use their cell phones to coordinate social events, respond to personal voicemails, texts and other similar tasks.
Pedestrian Deaths by State
The number of pedestrian deaths vary significantly from state to state. In some states with larger urban areas and more traffic, the numbers tend to be higher. But it’s not just busy cities that are affected. Rural areas can be dangerous too, due to higher speed limits and fewer sidewalks or pedestrian paths.
Behind only Florida and New Mexico, South Carolina is one of the most dangerous states in the nation for pedestrians. The Palmetto State has been ranked third most dangerous for pedestrians by Smart Growth America (an advocacy group) in its 2022 report.
“In 2021, 194 pedestrians in South Carolina were killed in accidents — more than three every week.” And unfortunately, fatality rates are only continuing to rise in The Palmetto State.
“Experts blame the problem on a combination of changing driver trends and poor design. But with a vast network of roads meant to transport vehicles, not people, there are few easy answers for South Carolina.”
Most Dangerous Cities for Pedestrians
Big cities like New York and Los Angeles often come to mind as more risky for walkers, due to their heavy traffic. But, the Daytona Beach area in Florida is the number one dangerous city for pedestrians.
However, it’s not just about the size of the city. Factors like the design of roads, availability of crosswalks, and how well traffic laws are enforced play a big role in pedestrian safety. In some cities, there are areas with few sidewalks or street lights, making it more difficult for drivers to see people walking.
Smart Growth America has ranked Charleston, SC as the fifth most dangerous city in the country for pedestrians! Columbia comes in at 16, and the Greenville area is ranked 17.
According to The Post and Courier, MUSC has cared for over 600 patients who sustained injuries as a pedestrian or bike-rider in Charleston, over the past five years.
A report by the SC Department of Transportation (SCDOT) reveals that, “traditional roadway design in South Carolina has led to streets without adequate pedestrian and bicycle facilities, vehicles traveling at high speeds, large, complex intersections and limited roadway and pedestrian lighting.”
SCDOT chief of staff, Justin Powell said, “In many cases, the roadways are simply outdated. They were built as corridor routes and weren’t meant to host pedestrians. As their use has changed, the state agency has had to change its approach as well.” (PostandCourier.com)
Pedestrian Safety
How can we, as pedestrians, stay safer? It’s not just about looking both ways before crossing the street anymore. We should be aware of our surroundings, avoid distractions like texting while walking, and use designated crosswalks whenever possible. Wearing bright or reflective clothing at night can also make us more visible to drivers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests:
- Increase your visibility when walking at night – carry a flashlight and wear reflective clothing, such as reflective vests.
- Cross streets at a designated crosswalk or intersection whenever possible.
- Walk on a sidewalk or path instead of the road. Walk on the shoulder and face traffic if a sidewalk or path is not available.
- Avoid using electronic devices like earbuds, which can cause distractions when you are walking.
(CDC.gov)
Safety advocates in Charleston recommend the following solutions to cut down on pedestrian accidents and deaths:
- No right turn on red.
- Visible crosswalks.
- Pedestrian signals with leading pedestrian intervals, which means the pedestrian gets a head start before the driver gets a green light.
While it’s great to see more people choosing to walk, we all need to be more aware of our surroundings and take steps to protect ourselves and others. Remember, safety starts with each of us!
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