Pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. have skyrocketed 46% since 2009, creating an emerging public health crisis as researchers grasp to understand the reasons.
The increases far outpace growth in overall traffic deaths, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Almost 6,000 pedestrians — people who might have been out for a walk after dinner, hurrying to get to work or rushing to cross a street — were killed by motor vehicles on or along America’s roads in 2016, the latest year for which numbers are available. That's almost twice the number of deaths tied directly to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Put another way, more Americans are dying each year as they walk than have died in combat in Iraq since 2003.
The question for policy makers and others is what explains the dramatic increase.
Distraction behind the wheel, texting while walking and even marijuana legalization have all been tagged as potential culprits in past research.
In addition, a new study released Tuesday by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows an 81% increase in single-vehicle pedestrian fatalities involving SUVs between 2009 and 2016, based on federal records.
More here
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
5 comments:
The common problem I see driving around here is people walking right out in the street without looking. I’ve almost hit a number of people just because they won’t look up from their damn phones! The cross walks are mostly useless since people are too lazy to walk to the end of the street to use them. Most important SU should have a class on how to cross rt13 because clearly students parents haven’t taught them how.
One word - texting!! But lets focus on guns, big gulp bans, and regulating what restaurants can let children see on their menu!!
I contend that the #1 reason for pedestrian fatalities is cell phones and the #2 reason is all the marked pedestrian crosswalks that have been added in recent years. People walking across the street feel safe in the marked zones so don't bother to pay attention.
#1problem ..wear some clothing that's bright ! ..any driver will notice a bright color most often !!
2:05
They need to teach them that they do not ALWAYS have the right of way just because they are in a cross walk. Many think they can just step into a cross walk and the world will stop for them. They will be wrong. Dead wrong.
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