There was a loss of 4,881 lives in pedestrian/motor vehicle crashes in 2005, almost thirteen people every day of the year (NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts). Though the number of pedestrian fatalities fell from 5,584 in 1995 to 4,881 in 2005, the fatalities in 2005 were the highest since 4,901 fatalities were recorded in 2001. Fortunately, the number of reported injuries involving pedestrians fell from 84,000 in 1995 to 64,000 in 2005. However, only a fraction of pedestrian crashes that cause injury are ever recorded by the police.
- Pedestrian Deaths in 1995: 5,584
Pedestrian Deaths in 2005: 4,881 (NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts)
Reduction in pedestrian deaths between 1995 and 2005: 13 percent
Pedestrian Injuries in 1995: 86,000
Pedestrian Injuries in 2005: 64,000 (NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts)
Reduction in pedestrian injuries between 1995 and 2005: 26 percent
The total cost of pedestrian death and injury among children ages 14
and younger is $5.2 billion per year (Safe Kids Worldwide).
A detailed breakdown of the age, gender, and location of pedestrian crash victims is available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) fact sheets. Some of the more noteworthy trends or numbers are:
- 70 percent of pedestrian killed in 2005 were males.
Almost three out of every four pedestrian fatalities occur in urban
areas (74 percent).
The top four states for pedestrian fatalities are California, Florida,
Texas, and New York. These four states make up 42 percent of pedestrian
fatalities nationwide while only accounting for 29 percent of the total
traffic fatalities across the country.
Nearly half (48 percent) of pedestrian fatalities occurred on Friday,
Saturday, or Sunday.
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