By BARBARA SIMPSON
While the news is focusing on the terrible snafus at airports — delays, cancellations, and just air-chaos for passengers — there’s a problem that is not really getting the attention it should be getting.
Does anyone know about the number of pedestrian deaths in this country? Does anyone really care? The Governors Highway Safety Association does, and it is concerned. We should be as well.
The latest compilation of statistics shows that the number of pedestrians who were hit and killed by vehicles in 2022 was the highest in 41 years — since 1981. These figures reflect the situation in Washington, D.C., and 49 states except Oklahoma, which had a technical problem with its data.
Looking at figures since 2010, the number of pedestrian deaths has increased every year. Last year, the figure was 7,508 people who were out walking, and were hit and killed. The increase is stunning — figures show that from 2010 to 2021, pedestrian deaths increased 77 percent. Other types of traffic fatalities increased just 25 percent.
For whatever reason, the United States shows a major increase in such fatalities while in recent years, comparable developed countries have shown reductions. Those countries have focused on increasing safety measures to protect pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. Among the measures they have instituted are more protected bike lanes, lower overall speed limits and requiring vehicle safety design measures that better protect people outside of the vehicle.
These measures have contributed to lower fatality rates in other countries, but until we Americans adopt the same attitude concerning safety, our death statistics will reflect the result.
In reviewing the statistics of the accidents, they show that most deaths occurred after dark and on roads where there were no sidewalks. In 35 percent of the deaths, the striking vehicle was a passenger car. In 40 percent of the deaths, the striking vehicle was an SUV or a pickup truck. There was no available breakdown as to the ages of the drivers.
The report looked at several factors that may have contributed to the increase. They would include more risky driving during the pandemic by drivers of all ages and a lack of awareness and enforcement of laws aimed at keeping pedestrians safe.
It’s estimated that the increase of deaths reflects changes in the nature of the suburbs where more people are walking in neighborhoods designed for cars. In addition, the population is aging and it’s believed that older people, who tend to walk a lot, are more vulnerable to accidents.
Angie Schmitt describes the situation as a real crisis that has flown under the radar. Her book is Right of Way: Race, Class, and the Silent Epidemic of Pedestrian Deaths In America. She looks at all the aspects of the situation concerning safety laws and their enforcement. But she also emphasizes that there has been an increase in the number of SUVs and pickup trucks on the road. The statistics show an increase in deaths involving those vehicles.
The big problem is how to correct the situation. It’s one thing to have laws on the books, but if people don’t know about them or follow them, they are of no use. If there aren’t enough police to enforce road rules, that presents the same problem.
And of course, the bottom line is that pedestrians must use common sense when walking along any road — paved or not. Part of the responsibility for safety lies with the driver of the vehicle, of course. But it’s also the responsibility of the pedestrian.
There’s no avoiding it — a car or an SUV or a pickup is big and strong and no match for a human being. Too often, the pedestrian thinks that he has the right of way on a road. NO, he doesn’t — the vehicle does and the pedestrian has the responsibility to keep himself safe.
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