Pedestrian Traffic Deaths About 50% More Than a Decade Ago: Report

About 50% more pedestrians were killed during the first six months of 2024 compared to a decade ago, although the number is down 2.6% from the prior year.

According to a report breaking down deaths by state published by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), 3,304 pedestrians were killed in the U.S. from January through June 2024. That’s 1,072 more pedestrian deaths than the same period in 2014 but 88 fewer than the first half of 2023—the second annual decline in a row for the first six months of the year since a high of 3,526 in 2022.

Despite the decline, deaths are far above pre-pandemic levels. There were 353 more pedestrian deaths in the first half of 2024 than during the first six months of 2019, GHSA noted.

“Every day, 18 people don’t return home after taking a walk. That’s unacceptable,” said Jonathan Adkins, chief executive of GHSA, a nonprofit that represents the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. “While recent incremental progress is welcome, it doesn’t disguise the fact that the numbers moved in the wrong direction over the past decade. The only acceptable number of traffic deaths is zero.

“We must continue to push for an all-in safety approach that protects people on foot from the dangerous behaviors that are all too common on our roads. By encouraging drivers and pedestrians to implement safe practices, supporting the enforcement of traffic laws and implementing infrastructure improvements, we can turn the tide on pedestrian fatalities.”

The report, based on preliminary data provided by State Highway Safety Offices, shows deaths of pedestrians have increased at a pace seven times higher than U.S. population growth.

The projected number of fatalities during the first half of 2024 went up in 23 states and the District of Columbia, and down in 22 states. California, Florida and Texas had the most pedestrian fatalities. These states accounted for 35% of all pedestrian deaths in 2024 as of June 30.

Topics Trends