Research indicates pedestrian death rates in the United States (U.S.) have reached alarming levels. Data from 2022 confirmed that pedestrian deaths increased above all-time highs to 7,522 reported fatalities. Studies of domestic and global road traffic mortality trends are critical in developing robust national traffic safety policies in this era of heightened pedestrian fatal accidents. New research analyzed data from the U.S. and 27 other high-income countries on pedestrian crashes and overall road deaths from 2013 to 2022 to examine the current circumstances and possible future of American road safety measures.
Existing data points were obtained from the International Transport Forum’s International Road Traffic and Accident Database (IRTAD) in combination with U.S. Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data. The study examined data from 28 high-income countries, including the U.S., all of which had populations greater than one million. Death rates were calculated based on population rates of 100,000 for pedestrian vehicles and all fatal road injuries over the period of study between 2013 and 2022. The study calculated rates by age group, for 0-14, 15-24, 15-64, and 65+, to look for age trends in the data.
Federal statistics indicate that pedestrian deaths in the U.S. increased by 50% from 2013 to 2022, with the death rate rising from 1.55 to 2.33 per 100,000 citizens. During this time, deaths of pedestrians increased at a constant rate in the U.S., but other wealthy countries decreased pedestrian deaths in the comparable time by 24.7%.
The 22.5% increase in road traffic deaths throughout America converted the population mortality rate from 10.41 to 12.76 per 100,000 individuals. Traffic-related injury rates in countries other than the U.S. have declined by an average of 19.4%, but the U.S. did not observe any such decline. The study suggests that road fatalities in the U.S. will likely fall by 4% for all categories and 2% for pedestrians in 2023.
Over the past decade, pedestrian fatality rates have risen in the U.S., whereas they have declined in other high-income countries. The U.S. has lower pedestrian safety standards than other nations because of the increase in SUVs, which heightens the risk of fatal pedestrian crashes. New car sales of SUVs, along with pickup trucks, continue to rise substantially since they now constitute 79% of total American new car buying decisions in 2022. People in suburban areas face high risk due to limited infrastructure and the presence of rapidly moving multilane roads. Poor suburban communities that lack proper transportation systems become responsible for the growing number of pedestrian deaths across the United States.
People aged over 65 years experience the most severe pedestrian injuries because of physical limitations, together with deteriorating eyesight. The U.S. stands as the most dangerous country for pedestrians aged 15-24 and 25-64 and ranks second only after China when it comes to deaths of children who cross the street. The rise in pedestrian deaths requires the immediate implementation of essential protection systems for protecting pedestrians of every age group. The United States confronts a life-threatening public health crisis because pedestrian death statistics continue to grow throughout every age group. The implementation of a Safe System approach would lead to additional pedestrian fatality reductions based on predictions for the future year of 2023.
The Safe System strategy enhances safety through speed management, protected pathways, and behavioral interventions. The U.S. approved this method in 2022 as part of its pedestrian safety enhancement effort to fulfill worldwide road safety standards. The initiative moves forward through public health expert leadership, which involves utilizing health data, forming injury prevention networks, and intervening for evaluation purposes. Every community needs standard implementation of safe walking routes, protected crossings, consistent street lighting, and speed control to decrease pedestrian deaths.
References: Naumann RB, West BA, Barry V, Matthews S, Lee R. Pedestrian and overall road traffic crash deaths — United States and 27 other high-income countries, 2013–2022. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). 2025 Mar 13;74(8):134–139 https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7408a2.htmÂ
