Everyone walks. Whether you walk to and from work, at home with your family and pets, or for exercise, walking is part of everyday life. Unfortunately, pedestrian deaths have been on the rise in the U.S. since 2009. Recent data shows that 4,735 pedestrians were killed nationally in 2013; that’s one pedestrian every two hours.
A recent report by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) examines current pedestrian safety data and looks at legislative, enforcement, and educational initiatives along with engineering solutions at the national, state, and local level that will help encourage safer mobility. Funded through a grant by State Farm®, Everyone Walks. Understanding and Addressing Pedestrian Safety provides 21 key takeaways to help in the reduction of pedestrian-involved motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities. The report examines the extent of the pedestrian safety problem, who is likely to be involved in a pedestrian-motor vehicle crash, and why.
The average pedestrian killed in a traffic crash in 2013 was 46 years old and males accounted for 70 percent of those deaths. Unfortunately many of these fatalities involved motorists who became unintended pedestrians due to vehicle breakdowns or emergency responders who are struck on the side of the road.
The report addresses funding, data collection, planning, collaboration, training, community engagement, and evaluation. State and local pedestrian safety programs that are taking a comprehensive approach to addressing pedestrian safety or using one or several of the components in a new, innovative, and promising way are highlighted as well.
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