Rising Pedestrian and Cyclist Fatalities on U.S. Roads

Road safety is about more than drivers and passengers in vehicles. To help you understand the current trends and anticipate future developments, we will provide insights into the latest statistics and forecasts.

An increasing number of pedestrians are getting killed on U.S. roads. Drivers struck and killed more than 7,500 people walking last year, marking the highest number of pedestrian fatalities since 1981, according to a new report by the Governors Highway Safety Association.

Last year, pedestrian deaths rose in 22 states, remained unchanged in one (Rhode Island), and decreased in 26 states and D.C. (Oklahoma didn’t provide data for the report). Notably, most deaths occur at night. Non-freeway arterial roads, which typically witness substantial volumes of high-speed traffic, are the most hazardous. Between 2010 and 2021, pedestrian fatalities soared by 77%, in stark contrast to a 25% increase in all other traffic-related fatalities during the same timeframe.

Factors Contributing to Increased Risk

The growing popularity of larger vehicles is a significant contributor to this trend. Statistics reveal that bigger vehicles diminish the chances of survival for pedestrians upon impact. Over the past decade, fatal pedestrian accidents involving SUVs have surged by 120%, while crashes involving smaller passenger cars saw a mere 26% increase. Furthermore, an aging fleet of vehicles has been identified as another potential cause, as newer automobile models often incorporate improved safety features.

Cyclists Face Rising Dangers

Similarly, bicyclists are experiencing a heightened risk of fatal accidents. In 2021, 966 bicyclists were killed in the U.S., reflecting a significant uptick from the early 2010s, when fatalities typically ranged from 600 to 700, according to federal statistics. Consequently, fatalities are expected to continue rising, largely due to the prevalence of larger trucks and SUVs on the roads, which pose greater dangers during bicycle accidents.

This forecast serves to highlight the critical importance of addressing road safety, particularly as it pertains to vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists. Understanding these statistics and trends can help communities and policymakers enact effective measures to improve safety on the roads.