More than 47,700 pedestrians were killed in the U.S. between 2000 and 2009, and the majority of those deaths were preventable, according to a new report released by Transportation for America.
The report, "Dangerous by Design 2011: Solving the Epidemic of Preventable Pedestrian Deaths," shows how roadway designs promoted by federal investment endanger people on foot.
Dangerous by Design also ranks America's major metropolitan areas using a Pedestrian Danger Index that uses 10 years of data to assess how safe pedestrians are while walking. The top four — Orlando, Miami, Jacksonville and Tampa - are all in Florida. Other dangerous cities in the top 10 include: San Bernardino, Calif.; Las Vegas; Memphis, Tenn.; Phoenix; Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston.
The report presents data on pedestrian fatalities and injuries in every U.S. county. And for the first time, this year's report includes an online, interactive map showing the locations where pedestrian fatalities have occurred.
More than 688,000 pedestrians were injured over the decade, a number equivalent to a pedestrian being struck by a car or truck every seven minutes. The report finds that while only 1.5 percent of federal funds are allocated toward upgrading dangerous roads, 12 percent of all nationwide fatalities are pedestrians. Of these fatalities, nearly 4,000 were children 15 years and younger, making pedestrian injury the third leading cause of death by unintentional injury for that age group.
Dangerous by Design outlines a roadmap for the future by which Congress can tackle the problems created by poorly designed transportation systems and create safer, more efficient cities for drivers and pedestrians alike. Of particular emphasis is developing transportation systems that take into account pedestrians and bicyclists, instead of viewing them as impediments to traffic.
To view the full report, please click here.