5 tips for making pedestrian safety a priority in your community
Jdeangelo CommonHealth ACTION
Walking is good for health, but in many places in the U.S., pedestrians are at risk. In May, “Dangerous By Design,” a new report from Smart Growth America and its National Complete Streets Coalition, documented the problem and showcased ways communities can make walking safer for pedestrians. The searchable report collected data on pedestrian deaths across the country from 2003 to 2012, finding that more than 47,000 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes during that time. In 2012 alone, they accounted for 15 percent of all traffic fatalities. And while driver deaths dropped by 33 percent over that time — likely due to vehicle safety regulations and programs — there was not a drop in overall pedestrian fatalities.
The report also noted that children, seniors and people of color are all at greater risk of becoming victims. Children are more likely to be hit because they are smaller and harder for drivers to see. Seniors are more likely to be hit because they move more slowly, and aren’t able to quickly react when a car approaches. And people of color are more likely to walk to their jobs or do errands, which increases their time on the road and exposure to unsafe streets and drivers.
Read this story in full on The Nation’s Health’s Storify page.