A new study the 5188 Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) in the US reveals that pedestrian deaths are increasing. The study is based on preliminary data from the State Highway Safety Offices. Following adjustments to that data for underreporting, the GHSA study estimates that pedestrian deaths increased 10% in the first half of 2015 compared with the previous year. Even without the adjustment, pedestrian deaths were still 6% greater, at 2,368 for 2015 than 2014.
There is major concern over the problem and should the trend continue throughout the the full year, it could result in the largest year-on-year rise in pedestrian fatalities since 1975. The report was based on state traffic fatality figures extrapolated by researchers at Sam Schwartz Consulting.
The study suggests that the problem partly reflects the increased distances driven in the US during 2015 as the country’s economy continues to recover. Separate studies show that US drivers clocked up a record total distance driven in 2015. With more driving come more crashes.
However other information suggests that more people in the US are also walking to work. Distracted walking is another factor known to be on the increase as more people rely on their smartphones and are not always concentrating when they step off the kerb.
However the biggest single factor in pedestrian deaths relates to alcohol use and according to the study, 34% of pedestrians killed have a blood-alcohol content above the legal driving limit. When the risk of drunk drivers is included, close to 50% of all pedestrian fatalities involve alcohol.
Of note too in the GHSA study is that 42% of pedestrian deaths across the US actually occurred in just four states, California, Florida, Texas and New York. Meanwhile the three states with the highest pedestrian fatality rates/head of population are Arizona, Delaware and Florida. In strong contrast some states, like Vermont, had zero recorded pedestrian deaths in the first half of 2015.
There is major concern over the problem and should the trend continue throughout the the full year, it could result in the largest year-on-year rise in pedestrian fatalities since 1975. The report was based on state traffic fatality figures extrapolated by researchers at Sam Schwartz Consulting.
The study suggests that the problem partly reflects the increased distances driven in the US during 2015 as the country’s economy continues to recover. Separate studies show that US drivers clocked up a record total distance driven in 2015. With more driving come more crashes.
However other information suggests that more people in the US are also walking to work. Distracted walking is another factor known to be on the increase as more people rely on their smartphones and are not always concentrating when they step off the kerb.
However the biggest single factor in pedestrian deaths relates to alcohol use and according to the study, 34% of pedestrians killed have a blood-alcohol content above the legal driving limit. When the risk of drunk drivers is included, close to 50% of all pedestrian fatalities involve alcohol.
Of note too in the GHSA study is that 42% of pedestrian deaths across the US actually occurred in just four states, California, Florida, Texas and New York. Meanwhile the three states with the highest pedestrian fatality rates/head of population are Arizona, Delaware and Florida. In strong contrast some states, like Vermont, had zero recorded pedestrian deaths in the first half of 2015.
