U.S. pedestrian deaths fell from their pandemic-era highs in 2023 but were still significantly up from prepandemic levels, according to newly released data.
The Governors Highway Safety Association figures put total pedestrian fatalities at 7,318 in 2023, the most recent full-year data available. That’s down 5% year-over-year, though up 14% over 2019, the last full year before the pandemic, according to data from the state highway safety offices of which the group is comprised.
In the bigger picture, pedestrian deaths have soared 77% since 2010 as all other traffic fatalities rose at the much lower rate of 22%, the organization reported, citing National Highway Traffic Safety Administration numbers through 2022.
The group points to a major pullback in traffic enforcement since the pandemic began in 2020, allowing dangerous driving to increase. It also blames limited sidewalks, crosswalks and adequate lighting in some areas, along with the proliferation of oversize vehicles that are more likely to inflict serious injuries or kill pedestrians.
In 2022, pedestrian fatalities hit a 40-year high, making up almost one in five of all traffic deaths, or about 18%, the group said.
Though pedestrian fatalities fell last year nationally, they rose in some states, according to the report. In fact, 21 states and Washington, D.C., saw increases.
The report shared examples of projects many states have completed to make pedestrian safer.
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