Report: Pedestrian deaths increasing across the U.S.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The Governors Highway Safety Administration released a report Tuesday morning that projects the United States will see a 10 percent jump in pedestrians hit and killed by cars in 2015 from 2014. The report said the jump is, in part, due to smartphones.
The study compares the number of pedestrian deaths from January to June in 2015 to the number of deaths during that same time in 2014. Indiana saw about a six percent jump year-over-year in pedestrians hit and killed by cars.
From January to June, 47 people were killed in 2014 and 50 people were killed in 2015.
Indiana had the 14th highest number of pedestrians killed in the nation. Last year, California had 347 pedestrians killed – the most in the nation. Vermont had zero pedestrian fatalities in 2015. Ohio saw the biggest percentage change, with a 124 percent jump in deaths.
The GHSA cited several reasons more people are being hit by cars. The report showed one of the biggest factors in the past few years, has been smartphones. More and more people are texting or on social media while they’re walking, and that means they’re distracted and may not see cars coming. Drivers are also using their phones behind the wheel and may not see the pedestrians.
The report also lists low gas prices as a factor. The GHSA said cheaper gas means more cars may be on the road. At the same time, the report said there are more people out walking and running, because more people are becoming health conscious. Those two factors together contribute to the jump in pedestrian deaths.
The report says all 50 states are working to solve this problem and protect pedestrians. It says the Alliance for Health Promotion analyzed data in Indianapolis and Marion County, and did walkability studies in the most dangerous eight locations. Three of those locations became designated Pedestrian Safety zones. The report also highlighted a campaign in Bloomington, aimed at educating people on bicyclist and pedestrian safety.
You can read the report here.