Why Are So Many Pedestrians Killed by Cars in the US?
9 hours ago
- #urban-planning
- #pedestrian-safety
- #traffic-fatalities
- Pedestrian deaths in the US surged by 78% from 2009 to 2023, while non-pedestrian motor vehicle deaths increased by only 13%.
- The increase in pedestrian fatalities is primarily concentrated in urban areas, with no significant rise in rural road deaths.
- Popular theories for the rise include the increased prevalence and size of SUVs and trucks, and driver distraction due to smartphones, though evidence is inconclusive.
- Pedestrian fatalities have become more deadly, with higher fatality rates per accident, suggesting collisions are more severe.
- The rise in deaths is not linked to specific times of day, week, or year, nor is it limited to certain age groups, though older pedestrians (30-79) show the highest increases.
- Driver behavior, such as speeding or distraction, does not show clear trends that explain the rise in fatalities.
- Pedestrian behavior, including drug and alcohol use, has increased but remains a small fraction of overall deaths.
- State-level data shows inconsistent trends in driver inattention and collision rates, complicating the search for a single cause.
- The 'Big SUV hypothesis' is the most supported, but unanswered questions remain, such as why deaths involving sedans have also risen.
- International comparisons show the US is unique in its surge in pedestrian fatalities, with other high-income countries seeing flat or declining rates.