More on US Pedestrian Deaths
2 days ago
- #urban-planning
- #traffic-deaths
- #pedestrian-safety
- Pedestrian deaths in the US have increased by almost 80% since 2009, with no singular explanation identified.
- The rise in fatalities is mostly at night, with deaths in darkness or lit darkness up by 103% and 87% respectively since 2009.
- The increase in pedestrian deaths is not solely due to larger SUVs, as deaths caused by sedans have also risen.
- Pedestrian fatalities have shifted from downtown areas to suburban regions, particularly affecting lower-income and minority populations.
- Bicyclist deaths have similarly increased by 86% since 2009, suggesting a broader trend affecting non-motorized road users.
- Homeless individuals constitute a significant fraction of pedestrian deaths in some cities, with traffic fatalities among the homeless quadrupling from 2011 to 2020.
- The Hispanic fraction of pedestrian deaths has risen dramatically since 2017, though the reasons remain unclear.
- Driver distraction, particularly phone use, has increased over time but lacks definitive evidence linking it directly to the rise in nighttime pedestrian deaths.
- Vehicle blind spots have grown due to safety regulations, potentially contributing to the increase in fatalities, though this doesn't explain Canada's lack of a similar trend.
- The overall increase in pedestrian deaths may result from a combination of factors, including homelessness, drug use, reduced traffic enforcement, and cultural driving behaviors.