GHSA's Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State: 2020 Preliminary Data and subsequent addendum offer the first comprehensive look at state and national trends in pedestrian deaths for the full year (January-December). The report projects the U.S. pedestrian fatality rate per billion vehicle miles traveled (VMT) jumped to 2.3 deaths in 2020 – an unprecedented 21% increase from 1.9 in 2019.
An analysis of data reported by State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs) projects that 6,721 pedestrians were killed on U.S. roads in 2020, up 4.8% from 6,412 fatalities in 2019. The report examines key trends affecting this rise in pedestrian deaths, including increased reckless driving behaviors, the need for safer road crossings and efforts to make pedestrians more visible through better lighting and other strategies, and the continued uptick in sales of sport utility vehicles (SUVs), which cause more pedestrian serious and fatal injuries in the event of a collision. The report also discusses the need for a comprehensive approach that leverages engineering, public education, emergency response and equitable enforcement for reducing pedestrian-motor vehicles crashes and saving lives.
The data analysis was conducted by Richard Retting of Sam Schwartz Consulting.
- Download Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State: 2020 Preliminary Data Addendum (May 20, 2021)
- News Release: Pedestrian Deaths Soar in 2020 Despite Precipitous Drop in Driving During Pandemic (May 20, 2021)
- Download Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State: 2020 Preliminary Data (March 23, 2021)
- News Release: Projected 2020 U.S. Pedestrian Death Rate on Pace for Record High Despite Significant Drop in Driving (March 23, 2021)
- GHSA Issue Toolkit: Bicyclist and Pedestrian Safety
- Watch GHSA's Pedestrian Spotlight News Briefing (March 23, 2021; registration is required)
Infographics Available for Download
JPEGs of the following infographics are available for download under "Resource Downloads" below.
