Pedestrian deaths continue to climb: GHSA

The number of pedestrians killed in the first half of 2021 jumped 17.3%, with dangerous driving behaviors, larger vehicles and insufficient infrastructure contributing to an “alarming” trend, according to a recent report from the Governors Highway Safety Association.

GHSA’s analysis of preliminary data from all 50 states found that an estimated 3,441 pedestrians were killed in the first six months of last year, up from 2,934 over the same period in 2020. Thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia recorded an increase in their total number of pedestrian deaths.

“Walking is the most basic form of transportation, but there is a pedestrian safety crisis due to drivers speeding, being impaired or distracted, or engaging in other dangerous behaviors,” said GHSA Executive Director Jonathan Adkins. “We need to leverage everything that works – infrastructure improvements, changes to road design, equitable enforcement of traffic safety laws and community outreach – to reverse this deadly trend and make our roadways safe for people walking, biking and rolling.”

GHSA, the National Safety Council and other groups support the Department of Transportation’s Safe System approach to advance pedestrian safety by ensuring safe roads and roadsides, safe vehicles, safe speeds, safe users, and post-crash response.