• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Auto Trends Magazine

Car reviews, industry news, & advice.

Archives for May 26, 2014

Dangerous by Design: A Look at Pedestrian Fatalities

May 26, 2014 by admin 3 Comments

Pedestrian safety report points out problems, outlines solutions.

As a driver, you are very much aware of what other drivers are doing while on the road. You also take note of motorcycles and bicycles, giving them enough room to share the road.

Pedestrians are another concern, especially young children that dart out into traffic as in going after a ball. Even so, young children are not the ones most likely to be killed in a pedestrian accident. Instead, it is older adults and people of color that have the greatest chance of getting killed when traveling on foot.

Dangerous by Design 2014

pedestrian crossingThese and other findings were part of a Dangerous by Design 2014 report released this month by Smart Growth America, a national coalition of state and local organizations that are working for better communities across the United States. These groups include CEOs for Cities, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Alliance to Save Energy and Reconnecting America.

The organization found that more than 47,000 people died in pedestrian accidents in the decade beginning in 2003 and ending in 2012. Pedestrian fatalities represented 15 percent of all deaths in 2012, increasing by 6 percent over the previous year and representing a five-year high.

The report examines where fatalities take place while also looking at who is most vulnerable, drilling down to every state, metro area and community in the country.

Young Pedestrians at Risk

Pedestrians are most at risk in Sunbelt communities, areas that have grown the most in the past 75 years. Many modern communities developed rapidly, including low-density communities that are interconnected by broad roadways that bring people to work, school and to retail outlets.

These roads are usually built only with cars in mind, not even providing basic access for pedestrians including sidewalks. Even so, the report points out “…the unacceptably high number of pedestrian deaths seen in nearly every major metro region,” not just boom towns.

The number of children that die in pedestrians accidents has fallen dramatically since 1984. Three decades ago, more than 1,000 children were killed each year. In 2012, that number fell to 319. However, the researchers claim that the reduction is due to a decrease in physical activity among children for what has led to another problem: childhood obesity.

Children remain vulnerable to pedestrian injury or death in part for their small size. Another factor is their inability to comprehend danger. For instance, the report cited a study that found children aged 6 to 11 are unable to detect vehicles that are going faster than 20 mph. In other words, they do not see the cars coming.

A federal program established in 2005, Safe Routes to School (SRTS), has provided funding to help communities build sidewalks, crosswalks and other safety features in a bid to provide safer access for students. A continual drop in pedestrian accidents near schools has been a positive impact for a program that is no longer funded.

Elderly Pedestrian Death Demographics

If you are an older American who gets around on foot beware: your chances of getting killed are greater than other segments of the population. Although representing 12.6 percent of the population, the elderly accounted for 21 percent of all pedestrian deaths from 2003 to 2010, with an even greater concentration of deaths for seniors who were aged 75 and older.

Why are older Americans walking? For many the reason is simple: they no longer drive and they rely on public transportation. Getting to transportation spots means traveling there on foot including crossing dangerous intersections. With reaction times that are much slower than young people, older Americans are more likely to get injured or killed.

People of Color on Foot

People of color, including blacks and Latinos, also are more likely to be killed in a pedestrian accident. The researchers found that these individuals tend to travel on foot in greater numbers. Moreover, African Americans and Hispanics are highly concentrated in urbanized areas especially the previously mentioned suburban areas where roadways are not pedestrian friendly.

As gloomy as pedestrian death statistics are, the researchers stressed that improving street design can have a big impact on making people safe. A number of communities across the country have taken steps to improve street layouts.

Phoenix Street Improvement Project

Indeed, the report pointed to Phoenix as one city that recently made significant changes near the downtown campus of Arizona State University. City designers realized that on First Street there was more street capacity than needed, then set out a new configuration to cover a six-block area.

The designers improved drainage, added ADA compliant ramps and crossings, widened sidewalks and added shade trees. The new scheme provides improved access for pedestrians and cyclists, while also addressing flooding issues.

Making Walking Areas Safer

The researchers also offered guidance by what means planners might develop walkable communities. That guidance takes under consideration two matters: first, understanding how people currently use streets and public spaces; second, how they would like to use these areas in the future.

So-called “flow considerations,” including separating people walking from people driving vehicles, maintaining lower speed limits, and providing sidewalk and ramp access for people with disabilities were among the ideas offered. From there, planners and engineers could use a variety of design elements including pedestrian countdown signals, refuge islands, curb extensions and wide sidewalks to improve safety.

Other changes include mid-block crossing —including at transit stops — pedestrian hybrid beacons, narrow travel lanes and restricting right turns on red signals. Backed-in angled parking and planting street trees can also help.

Better Data Needed

The data behind Dangerous by Design, although helpful, is not exhaustive. Researchers admit that the data supplied by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration looks at only fatal pedestrian crashes. There is no national database that tracks non-fatal pedestrian injuries including those resulting in life-long disabilities.

Based on the data, the NHTSA estimates that 76,000 people were injured in pedestrian collisions in 2012. However, without data showing where non-fatal accidents occur, dangerous intersections or blocks cannot be pinpointed nor can the factors that contribute to pedestrian danger be fully known.

Just how dangerous are roads in your area? Smart Growth America provides a fatalities map to help you learn how many pedestrians were killed in your area and where those deaths took place in the 10-year period ending 2012. By simply inputting a zip code, pedestrian death locations show up on a map with the total number of fatalities listed.


Recent Articles

Happy Memorial Day! Except for the Stop-Sale Orders

Arrived: 2015 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell

MRY Study Reveals That We Still Love Our Cars

NHTSA Launches TireWise Safety Campaign

Filed Under: Special Tagged With: CAR ACCIDENTS, COMMUNITIES, DANGEROUS BY DESIGN, deaths, ELDERLY, NHTSA, PEDESTRIANS, SIDEWALKS

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Bigger Yet: 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban SUVs
  • Value Leader: 2020 Volvo XC40
  • The History of the Toyota Sequoia
  • Highlights of the 2020 Ford Ranger
  • The Statement-Making Lincoln Aviator

Recent Comments

  • Bigger Yet: 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban SUVs — Auto Trends Magazine on By the Inches:
    Chevrolet Tahoe v. Chevrolet Suburban
  • Bigger Yet: 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban SUVs — Auto Trends Magazine on Off-Road Prowess: GMC Sierra AT4
  • Bigger Yet: 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban SUVs — Auto Trends Magazine on 7 Facts About the 2020 Nissan Armada
  • Bigger Yet: 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban SUVs — Auto Trends Magazine on The History of the Toyota Sequoia
  • Bigger Yet: 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban SUVs — Auto Trends Magazine on 2019 Chevrolet Silverado & a Turbo Four

Archives

  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008

Categories

  • Auto Parts
  • Auto Shows
  • Automotive Career
  • Automotive News
  • Book Reviews
  • Car Tips
  • Classics & Discontinued Models
  • Commentary
  • Concept Vehicles
  • Dealers
  • Engineering & Technology
  • Fun News
  • Maintenance & Repairs
  • Motorsport
  • New Car Reviews
  • New Models
  • Ownership Experience
  • Product Reviews
  • Special
  • Specifications

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

New!
Check out our Jobs Board!

via GIPHY

Subscribe to Auto Trends

Subscribe in a reader

Social Media

Visit our social media pages:
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
Pinterest

Where is Matt Currently Published?

The Carolinian (new car reviews)
NAPA Know How Blog
On the Road Again

Pages

  • About
  • Automotive Brochures
  • Contact
  • Industry Jobs
  • Write
    • Style Guide

Categories

Recent Posts

  • Bigger Yet: 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban SUVs
  • Value Leader: 2020 Volvo XC40
  • The History of the Toyota Sequoia
  • Highlights of the 2020 Ford Ranger
  • The Statement-Making Lincoln Aviator
  • 5 Forgettable Cars From the 1980s
  • How to Jump-Start Your Car
  • 5 Forgettable Cars From the 1970s
  • Buying Guide: 2020 Kia Sedona
  • Buying Guide:
    2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  • Tiny or Small? Your Choice:
    Chevrolet Spark or Chevrolet Sonic.
  • 7 Facts About the 2020 Nissan Armada
  • Highlights of the 2020 Ford EcoSport
  • Hyundai’s 18K Venue SUV
  • Lexus GX:
    The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
  • Highlights of the
    2020 Nissan Rogue Sport
  • By the Inches:
    Chevrolet Tahoe v. Chevrolet Suburban
  • Up Next: Ford-Volkswagen Tie-up?
  • SUV Smackdown: Fiat 500L v. Fiat 500X
  • When is the Best Time to Buy a Car?
  • What Everyone Ought to Know About Selling a Car
  • Diminutive SUV: Hyundai Venue
  • Should I Buy a Lexus NX or a Lexus RX?
  • Rolling Classic: 2020 Dodge Charger
  • 10 Things We Like About the 2020 Subaru Legacy
  • Jeep Gladiator Fun Facts
  • Refreshed 2021 Chevrolet Colorado Breaks Cover
  • We Bid the Fourth-Generation Cadillac Escalade a Fond Farewell
  • What’s Next for the Subaru BRZ?
  • Highlights of the 2020 Toyota Sienna
  • How to Get the Most Auto Insurance Coverage for the Money
  • 4 Powertrains & the 2020 Ford Escape
  • The Refreshed 2020 BMW X1
  • Introducing the 2020 Chrysler Voyager
  • Cool Design: Hyundai Elantra Sport
  • Nissan Trucks: Moving Forward
  • The Incomparable Jeep Cherokee
  • By the Numbers: 2020 Honda Accord
  • Highlights of the 2020 Hyundai Accent
  • N Line Debut: 2019 Hyundai Elantra GT
  • At a Glance: 2020 Toyota Corolla Sedan
  • Highlights of the 2020 Kia Sedona
  • Introducing the All-New Cadillac CT4
  • Rivian Attracts Another Investor;
    More to Follow?
  • What You Must Do Following a Car Accident
  • Highlights of the 2020 Nissan Rogue
  • The Head-Turning, Attention-Getting Hyundai Palisade
  • The Innovative 2019 Audi Q8
  • About the 2020 Lincoln Aviator
  • How to Detail Your Car Like a Professional
May 2014
S M T W T F S
« Apr   Jun »
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031

Copyright © 2019 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in