COLUMBIA, S.C. — The number of people struck and killed by vehicles continues to rise in the United States.
On average, in 2020, 18 pedestrians were killed every day in the country, according to a report called 'Dangerous by Design' released by Smart Growth America. What’s alarming in the report is the highest number of deaths happened while fewer people were behind the wheel during the pandemic.
In the U.S., nearly 7,500 pedestrians were killed in 2021, the highest in 40 years.
One of the most dangerous states for people on foot is South Carolina. New Mexico ranked first and Florida came in second. The top 10 are:
- New Mexico
- Florida
- South Carolina
- Arizona
- Delaware
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Nevada
- California
- Georgia
North Carolina ranked 14th.
Beth Osborne, VP of Transportation & Thriving communities for Smart Growth America, said it’s important to create a safe space for pedestrians.
“Smartphones exist everywhere in the world," Osborne notes. "Alcohol exists everywhere in the world. Recklessness exists everywhere in the world. What doesn't exist everywhere in the world is our level of fatalities. And the difference is we design our roadways in this country to exacerbate those problems.”
Speed is a big concern, too.
“These high speeds, legal speeds, that people were driving in 2020 and 2021 led to more deaths for all users of the system," she said.
Osborne felt the wide, straight lanes with fewer intersections and stops make people feel more comfortable when they speed.
“It gives you the feeling of a highway or even a racetrack," Osborne explained. "That's how you design race tracks and highways. So, going at a higher speed is natural.”
Safety needs to be part of the design from the ground up, but drivers are getting conflicted messages behind the wheel.
“Think about those broad turns where the turn is designed so you don't have to slow down while making a right-hand turn," Osborne pointed to. "But then, there's a crosswalk in the middle of it. So, what we just said to the driver is 'Don't slow down, but stop on a dime.'"
Older adults and people in lower-income neighborhoods are impacted at the highest rates.
“The same communities that are negatively impacted by so many things are negatively impacted here as well," Osborne said. "Black Americans are twice as likely to be struck and killed while walking than white Americans. Native Americans are three times more likely.”
Areas with high development and activity need more protections in place for pedestrians.
“If the goal is development, and you want that roadway to serve the local businesses ... if there's going to be lots of cross streets, if there's going to be you know, people walking around, the speeds have to come down," Osborne said.
More walking should not lead to more deaths when safety for everyone who uses the road is a top priority.
“Where you see fewer fatalities is where you see slower speeds, narrower roadways, lots of points of intersection, crossing streets and crossings for pedestrians," she explained. "So, that the driver has the chance to see and respond to any potential conflict.”
If you need a sign to tell people to slow down, then the design of the street is wrong, Osborne said. Osborne theorizes when the infrastructure is in a better place to protect those on foot, it will change the habit of drivers and could save lives.
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