We all know the feeling of navigating a busy city street, dodging cars and hoping for a safe crossing. But new research reveals a disturbing trend: pedestrian deaths are skyrocketing in our cities, and the problem is getting worse.

A recent study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. have jumped by over 80% in the last 15 years. What's even more alarming is that this increase is almost entirely concentrated on urban arterial roads – those bustling thoroughfares designed to move traffic quickly.

These roads, often poorly lit and lacking adequate sidewalks or crosswalks, create a dangerous environment for pedestrians. Imagine trying to cross a busy street at night, with cars whizzing by and limited visibility. It's a recipe for disaster.

The study also revealed a stark disparity: these deaths disproportionately occur in socially and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, where residents often rely on walking as their primary mode of transportation. These communities are bearing the brunt of this crisis. Many residents in these areas depend heavily on walking, especially to reach public transportation, yet cities continue to grapple with several challenges when it comes to implementing the necessary infrastructure upgrades needed to make roads safer in these communities.

"The continued rise in pedestrian fatalities is a traffic safety challenge we need to address," says Dr. David Yang, president and executive director of the AAA Foundation. "This study not only identified common underlying factors related to pedestrian deaths but opportunities where stakeholders can collaborate to make improvements in their communities. We need to work together to create safer transportation systems for pedestrians and other road users.”

The AAA Foundation collaborated with researchers from the Collaborative Sciences Center for Road Safety to study this issue further by performing case studies in three cities with varying levels and trends in pedestrian fatalities: Albuquerque, NM, Charlotte, NC, and Memphis, TN. They found that most pedestrian fatalities occurred well outside of downtown, more than half happening more than 4 miles from the city center. Most occurred on arterial roads, and about half occurred in darkness. And, as mentioned, injuries and deaths occurred disproportionately in socially and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods and areas with older housing.

"Reducing the spike in pedestrian deaths requires data-driven investments where they matter most," said Jake Nelson, AAA's director of traffic safety advocacy. "If safety is truly a top priority for decision-makers, we should expect greater investments in historically underinvested communities where a disproportionate number of pedestrians are hit and killed."

So, what can be done? AAA suggests several key steps:

• Follow the data: Invest in the areas and solutions that will make the biggest impact. That means targeting unsafe locations outside downtown areas, often in socially and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods.
• Coordinate for impact: State and local governments can work more closely to invest resources to save lives where needed most, regardless of who owns that roadway.

• Demand a safer system: A Safe System approach anticipates human mistakes and reduces crash severity by addressing safety holistically through safer roads, vehicles, speeds, and road users.

   

But it's not just up to city planners and legislators. Drivers also have a crucial role to play. AAA reminds drivers to:

• Avoid risky driving behaviors such as speeding, texting, driving while drowsy or distracted, or driving under the influence of cannabis or alcohol. Stay alert! Follow speed limits, keep your smartphone out of reach, and only drive when sober.
• Don't rely on pedestrian detection systems to prevent a crash. This technology should only serve as a backup, not a replacement for an engaged driver.
• Drive with extra caution at night, as this is the riskiest time for pedestrians and when vehicle safety systems struggle the most.

Drivers are responsible for yielding to pedestrians, but those traveling on foot should also be vigilant. Pedestrians should use caution by staying on sidewalks and using crosswalks as often as possible. Always obey traffic signals, look both ways before crossing the street, and do not walk and text.

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