Today, we are excited to launch the 2019 SafeTREC Traffic Safety Facts blog series which will feature recent data on some of California's most pressing traffic safety issues! Each day this week and next, we'll highlight the facts for a range of topics related to safety on our roads.
In today's post, explore SafeTREC's fact sheet on pedestrian safety. Tomorrow, we'll be highlighting the facts on bicycle safety.
Get the Facts: Pedestrian Safety
As a commute mode, walking is gaining in numbers. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reports that pedestrian fatalities in the nation have increased disproportionately to other traffic deaths. Pedestrian fatalities as a proportion of total traffic deaths increased from 12 percent in 2008 to 16 percent in 2017. Pedestrian fatalities increased by 35 percent from 2008 to 2017 while other traffic deaths decreased by 6 percent. The GSHA also reported the largest proportion of pedestrian deaths around divided highways, which generally have speed limits of 45 or more and lack controlled intersections and safe crossing areas. Read the 2019 SafeTREC Traffic Safety Fact Sheet: Pedestrian Safety.
