The number of pedestrians killed in the US dropped in the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year, but the figure is still 1,000 more than it was ten years ago.
Latest figures from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) revealed 3,304 people lost their lives while out walking in the first six months of last year, 88 fewer fatalities than during the first six months of 2023.
However, the GHSA revealed the figure is 1,072 more pedestrian deaths than in 2014.
Each year, GHSA offers the first look at state and national trends in pedestrian traffic deaths from January through June based on preliminary data provided by State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs).
“Every day, 18 people don’t return home after taking a walk,” said GHSA Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Adkins. “That’s unacceptable.”
“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 decline in pedestrian deaths in the first half of 2024 mirrors the recent trend in overall traffic fatalities.
Total roadway deaths fell 3.2% during the first six months of last year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, much like pedestrian deaths, overall traffic fatalities remain well above what they were five and ten years ago.
