Pedestrian deaths slightly down: report

Washington – The number of pedestrians killed on U.S. roads by motor vehicles in 2014 changed little from the previous year, and the slow progress on increasing pedestrian safety is a concern, a report from the Governors Highway Safety Association states.

Pedestrian deaths during the first half of 2014 declined 2.8 percent from the first six months of 2013, according to the preliminary data released Feb. 26. After the numbers were adjusted for underreporting, GHSA found that an estimated 2,125 pedestrians died during the first six months of 2014, a small decrease from 2,141 in the first half of 2013. The amount of deaths is about 15 percent higher than in 2009.

In 24 states and the District of Columbia, pedestrian deaths in the first half of 2014 were down from the first half of 2013, while 21 states experienced increases. The rate remained the same in five states. Fewer than 10 pedestrian deaths occurred in 16 states. Nebraska and Wyoming each reported one death.

Pedestrian fatalities declined from 7,516 in 1975 to 4,735 in 2013, according to a press release. However, deaths of pedestrians ages 20 to 69 have increased by 28 percent during that time.