Risks are rising for pedestrians across the U.S. More people are being hit and killed while walking than ever before. 2022 had the highest number of pedestrian deaths since 1981, making pedestrian accidents a growing public safety crisis.
As more people choose walking and other eco-friendly ways to travel, we must understand why these accidents are happening. Our study examines the cities with the highest pedestrian fatality rates and the key factors contributing to these tragedies.
In 2022, 7,522 pedestrians lost their lives in accidents across the U.S.—one fatality every 70 minutes. Pedestrians made up 17.7% of all motor vehicle deaths. That same year, 66,896 pedestrians were injured in crashes. These numbers highlight the growing dangers pedestrians face on U.S. roads.
Which Cities Are the Most Dangerous for Pedestrians?
Our study identifies the 10 U.S. cities with the highest pedestrian fatality rates per 100,000 residents, which are:
- Los Angeles, CA: 153 deaths
- Phoenix, AZ: 117 deaths
- Houston, TX: 111 deaths
- New York, NY: 110 deaths
- Memphis, TN: 83 deaths
- Dallas, TX: 72 deaths
- San Antonio, TX: 66 deaths
- Philadelphia, PA: 60 deaths
- San Diego, CA and Tucson, AZ: 54 deaths each
- Austin, TX: 47 deaths
Which States Have the Highest Pedestrian Fatalities?
Some states have far higher pedestrian fatality rates than others, per our analysis. California, Texas, and Florida lead the nation in pedestrian deaths, with more than 1,100 fatalities in California alone.
The 10 states with the highest number of pedestrian deaths in 2022 were:
- California: 1,158 deaths
- Texas: 797 deaths
- Florida: 773 deaths
- Georgia: 345 deaths
- New York: 303 deaths
- Arizona: 295 deaths
- North Carolina: 257 deaths
- Tennessee: 210 deaths
- Illinois: 191 deaths
- Louisiana: 181 deaths
These numbers show the urgent need to make walking safer, especially in states with busy roads and high-speed traffic.
Why Are Pedestrian Accidents Happening?
Many things cause pedestrian deaths, but four main reasons stand out:
- Speed: The faster a car goes, the more likely a person will die if hit. If a vehicle is traveling at 58 miles per hour, there is a 90% chance that a pedestrian struck will not survive.
- Vehicle type: Larger vehicles cause more severe injuries. In 2022, various vehicles caused the following pedestrian fatalities:
- SUVs, pickups, and vans: 2,945 deaths
- Cars, sedans, and coupes: 2,196 deaths
- Other or unknown vehicle types: 836 deaths
- Large trucks: 390 deaths
- Buses: 41 deaths
- Where it happens: High-capacity roads with speed limits between 45-55 mph, multi-lane intersections, and areas near commercial districts are common sites for pedestrian fatalities.
- Alcohol: Impairment plays a major role. In 2022, 48% of pedestrian fatalities involved alcohol, with 30% of pedestrians and 18% of drivers exceeding the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit at the time of the crash.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Pedestrian accidents often result in serious, long-term injuries. The most common injuries affect the muscles, bones, and joints in the legs and knees, which can lead to:
- Chronic pain
- Mobility issues
- Permanent disabilities
Pedestrians also account for a significant portion of traffic deaths. In 2022, nearly one in five people killed in motor vehicle crashes were pedestrians. This underscores how dangerous walking near roadways can be.
Some people are at higher risk of being hit and killed while walking. In 2022, the most common victims were men between 55 and 64 years old, with 1,009 deaths in that group alone.
Other age groups with high numbers of deaths included:
- 35-44 years old: 986 deaths
- 25-34 years old: 880 deaths
- 45-54 years old: 809 deaths
- 65-74 years old: 637 deaths
- 74+ years old: 393 deaths
- 21-24 years old: 243 deaths
- 15-20 years old: 166 deaths
- 10-14 years old: 39 deaths
- 5-9 years old: 33 deaths
- Under 5 years old: 35 deaths
Among women, those between 25 and 34 years old were most likely to be killed, with 393 deaths followed by:
- 35-44 years old: 364 deaths
- 55-64 years old: 335 deaths
- 45-54 years old: 314 deaths
- 65-74 years old: 263 deaths
- 74+ years old: 198 deaths
- 21-24 years old: 110 deaths
- 15-20 years old: 111 deaths
- 10-14 years old: 32 deaths
- 5-9 years old: 18 deaths
- Under 5 years old: 31 deaths
The time of day also matters. Most pedestrian deaths happen between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., on weekdays and weekends, when visibility is lower, traffic is heavier, and drivers may be more likely to be tired or impaired.
Addressing the Crisis: How Can We Make Walking Safer?
Cities can make roads safer for pedestrians by:
- Adding more sidewalks so people don’t have to walk near traffic.
- Improving street lighting so drivers can see pedestrians at night.
- Lowering speed limits in areas where people walk the most.
- Cracking down on drunk driving and speeding.
Without safety improvements, pedestrian deaths will keep rising. As our analysis shows, it is time to make changes before more lives are lost.
Pedestrian Accidents and Legal Considerations
A Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer from The Schiller Kessler Group helps people who have been hit by a vehicle. Our attorneys handle the legal process while injured clients focus on recovery.
