Fatality Facts 2019Pedestrians
Overview
Pedestrian motor vehicle crash deaths have increased 51 percent since reaching their low point in 2009 and account for 17 percent of crash fatalities. The rates of pedestrian deaths in motor vehicle crashes per 100,000 people are highest for people ages 70 and older.
Pedestrian deaths occur primarily in urban areas. Engineering measures that separate vehicles and pedestrians such as sidewalks, refuge islands, overpasses and underpasses, and barriers can reduce the problem. Increased illumination, improved signal timing at intersections, and beacons that alert drivers to stop at crosswalks when pedestrians are present also can be effective. Because traffic speeds affect the risk and severity of pedestrian crashes, reducing speeds can lower pedestrian deaths.
Vehicle factors also are important. Most serious injuries result from pedestrians hitting vehicle bumpers, hoods, or the windshield area. Serious head, pelvis and leg injuries are common, and the severity of such injuries may be mitigated through improved vehicle design.
The following facts are based on analysis of data from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
Posted March 2021.
Trends
A total of 6,205 pedestrian deaths occurred in 2019. Pedestrian fatalities decreased 3 percent from 2018, but still account for 17 percent of all crash fatalities. Although pedestrian deaths were 17 percent lower in 2019 than in 1975, they have increased 51 percent since reaching their lowest point in 2009.
Pedestrian deaths and other motor vehicle crash deaths, 1975-2019
Pedestrian deaths and other motor vehicle crash deaths, 1975-2019 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Pedestrian deaths | Other deaths | All motor vehicle deaths | |||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
1975 | 7,516 | 17 | 37,009 | 83 | 44,525 | 100 |
1976 | 7,427 | 16 | 38,096 | 84 | 45,523 | 100 |
1977 | 7,732 | 16 | 40,146 | 84 | 47,878 | 100 |
1978 | 7,795 | 15 | 42,536 | 85 | 50,331 | 100 |
1979 | 8,096 | 16 | 42,997 | 84 | 51,093 | 100 |
1980 | 8,070 | 16 | 43,021 | 84 | 51,091 | 100 |
1981 | 7,837 | 16 | 41,464 | 84 | 49,301 | 100 |
1982 | 7,331 | 17 | 36,614 | 83 | 43,945 | 100 |
1983 | 6,826 | 16 | 35,763 | 84 | 42,589 | 100 |
1984 | 7,025 | 16 | 37,232 | 84 | 44,257 | 100 |
1985 | 6,808 | 16 | 37,017 | 84 | 43,825 | 100 |
1986 | 6,779 | 15 | 39,308 | 85 | 46,087 | 100 |
1987 | 6,745 | 15 | 39,645 | 85 | 46,390 | 100 |
1988 | 6,870 | 15 | 40,217 | 85 | 47,087 | 100 |
1989 | 6,556 | 14 | 39,026 | 86 | 45,582 | 100 |
1990 | 6,482 | 15 | 38,117 | 85 | 44,599 | 100 |
1991 | 5,801 | 14 | 35,707 | 86 | 41,508 | 100 |
1992 | 5,549 | 14 | 33,701 | 86 | 39,250 | 100 |
1993 | 5,649 | 14 | 34,501 | 86 | 40,150 | 100 |
1994 | 5,489 | 13 | 35,227 | 87 | 40,716 | 100 |
1995 | 5,584 | 13 | 36,233 | 87 | 41,817 | 100 |
1996 | 5,449 | 13 | 36,616 | 87 | 42,065 | 100 |
1997 | 5,321 | 13 | 36,692 | 87 | 42,013 | 100 |
1998 | 5,228 | 13 | 36,273 | 87 | 41,501 | 100 |
1999 | 4,939 | 12 | 36,778 | 88 | 41,717 | 100 |
2000 | 4,763 | 11 | 37,182 | 89 | 41,945 | 100 |
2001 | 4,901 | 12 | 37,295 | 88 | 42,196 | 100 |
2002 | 4,851 | 11 | 38,154 | 89 | 43,005 | 100 |
2003 | 4,774 | 11 | 38,110 | 89 | 42,884 | 100 |
2004 | 4,675 | 11 | 38,161 | 89 | 42,836 | 100 |
2005 | 4,892 | 11 | 38,618 | 89 | 43,510 | 100 |
2006 | 4,795 | 11 | 37,913 | 89 | 42,708 | 100 |
2007 | 4,699 | 11 | 36,560 | 89 | 41,259 | 100 |
2008 | 4,414 | 12 | 33,009 | 88 | 37,423 | 100 |
2009 | 4,109 | 12 | 29,774 | 88 | 33,883 | 100 |
2010 | 4,302 | 13 | 28,697 | 87 | 32,999 | 100 |
2011 | 4,457 | 14 | 28,022 | 86 | 32,479 | 100 |
2012 | 4,818 | 14 | 28,964 | 86 | 33,782 | 100 |
2013 | 4,779 | 15 | 28,115 | 85 | 32,894 | 100 |
2014 | 4,910 | 15 | 27,834 | 85 | 32,744 | 100 |
2015 | 5,495 | 15 | 29,990 | 85 | 35,485 | 100 |
2016 | 6,080 | 16 | 31,726 | 84 | 37,806 | 100 |
2017 | 6,075 | 16 | 31,398 | 84 | 37,473 | 100 |
2018 | 6,374 | 17 | 30,461 | 83 | 36,835 | 100 |
2019 | 6,205 | 17 | 29,891 | 83 | 36,096 | 100 |
Twenty-one percent of pedestrian deaths in 2019 occurred in hit-and-run crashes.
Pedestrian deaths by hit-and-run occurrences, 2019 | ||
---|---|---|
Number | % | |
Not hit-and-run | 4,908 | 79 |
Hit-and-run | 1,290 | 21 |
Total* | 6,205 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Age and sex
The rate of pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people decreased 46 percent from 1975 to 2019. The pedestrian death rate for children ages 0-12 decreased 93 percent from 1975. Children of these ages had the second-highest pedestrian death rate in 1975 but the lowest in 2019. The death rate for pedestrians 70 and older declined 74 percent from 1975. Pedestrians of these ages had the highest death rate every year since 1975, although the gap between older pedestrians and those ages 20-69 has narrowed considerably.
Pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people by age, 1975-2019
Pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people by age, 1975-2019 | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | <13 years | 13-19 years | 20-69 years | ≥ 70 years | Total* | ||||||||||
Population | Number | Rate | Population | Number | Rate | Population | Number | Rate | Population | Number | Rate | Population | Number | Rate | |
1975 | 45,851,304 | 1,632 | 3.6 | 29,795,023 | 796 | 2.7 | 125,762,927 | 3,656 | 2.9 | 14,563,945 | 1,348 | 9.3 | 215,973,199 | 7,516 | 3.5 |
1976 | 45,000,704 | 1,522 | 3.4 | 29,909,414 | 855 | 2.9 | 128,164,926 | 3,678 | 2.9 | 14,960,120 | 1,291 | 8.6 | 218,035,164 | 7,427 | 3.4 |
1977 | 44,337,332 | 1,390 | 3.1 | 29,800,313 | 835 | 2.8 | 130,700,531 | 3,992 | 3.1 | 15,401,249 | 1,383 | 9.0 | 220,239,425 | 7,732 | 3.5 |
1978 | 43,907,467 | 1,419 | 3.2 | 29,543,252 | 868 | 2.9 | 133,257,285 | 4,160 | 3.1 | 15,876,541 | 1,214 | 7.6 | 222,584,545 | 7,795 | 3.5 |
1979 | 43,778,959 | 1,291 | 2.9 | 29,077,607 | 923 | 3.2 | 135,810,304 | 4,437 | 3.3 | 16,388,617 | 1,277 | 7.8 | 225,055,487 | 8,096 | 3.6 |
1980 | 43,914,342 | 1,183 | 2.7 | 28,486,487 | 906 | 3.2 | 137,925,913 | 4,461 | 3.2 | 16,897,977 | 1,344 | 8.0 | 227,224,719 | 8,070 | 3.6 |
1981 | 44,049,940 | 1,064 | 2.4 | 27,743,947 | 797 | 2.9 | 140,349,007 | 4,457 | 3.2 | 17,322,714 | 1,278 | 7.4 | 229,465,608 | 7,837 | 3.4 |
1982 | 44,131,596 | 986 | 2.2 | 27,160,586 | 793 | 2.9 | 142,588,426 | 4,293 | 3.0 | 17,783,888 | 1,124 | 6.3 | 231,664,496 | 7,331 | 3.2 |
1983 | 44,119,297 | 944 | 2.1 | 26,737,497 | 671 | 2.5 | 144,701,358 | 4,026 | 2.8 | 18,233,751 | 1,081 | 5.9 | 233,791,903 | 6,826 | 2.9 |
1984 | 43,978,044 | 935 | 2.1 | 26,435,885 | 615 | 2.3 | 146,747,916 | 4,180 | 2.8 | 18,662,938 | 1,164 | 6.2 | 235,824,783 | 7,025 | 3.0 |
1985 | 44,260,136 | 925 | 2.1 | 26,001,247 | 592 | 2.3 | 148,589,564 | 3,993 | 2.7 | 19,072,785 | 1,170 | 6.1 | 237,923,732 | 6,808 | 2.9 |
1986 | 44,755,454 | 913 | 2.0 | 25,592,481 | 584 | 2.3 | 150,321,426 | 4,005 | 2.7 | 19,463,480 | 1,157 | 5.9 | 240,132,841 | 6,779 | 2.8 |
1987 | 45,348,247 | 898 | 2.0 | 25,209,615 | 518 | 2.1 | 151,840,344 | 4,091 | 2.7 | 19,890,817 | 1,160 | 5.8 | 242,289,023 | 6,745 | 2.8 |
1988 | 45,942,966 | 905 | 2.0 | 25,004,445 | 487 | 1.9 | 153,249,145 | 4,108 | 2.7 | 20,302,280 | 1,271 | 6.3 | 244,498,836 | 6,870 | 2.8 |
1989 | 46,690,604 | 786 | 1.7 | 24,664,300 | 421 | 1.7 | 154,744,818 | 4,090 | 2.6 | 20,719,397 | 1,180 | 5.7 | 246,819,119 | 6,556 | 2.7 |
1990 | 47,472,527 | 768 | 1.6 | 24,404,795 | 423 | 1.7 | 156,422,791 | 4,019 | 2.6 | 21,164,283 | 1,195 | 5.6 | 249,464,396 | 6,482 | 2.6 |
1991 | 48,240,747 | 695 | 1.4 | 24,066,587 | 437 | 1.8 | 158,093,861 | 3,561 | 2.3 | 21,751,897 | 1,044 | 4.8 | 252,153,092 | 5,801 | 2.3 |
1992 | 48,903,668 | 635 | 1.3 | 24,163,175 | 376 | 1.6 | 159,641,639 | 3,487 | 2.2 | 22,321,217 | 997 | 4.5 | 255,029,699 | 5,549 | 2.2 |
1993 | 49,335,864 | 644 | 1.3 | 24,664,091 | 402 | 1.6 | 160,981,980 | 3,502 | 2.2 | 22,800,673 | 1,012 | 4.4 | 257,782,608 | 5,649 | 2.2 |
1994 | 49,692,462 | 659 | 1.3 | 25,219,838 | 355 | 1.4 | 162,170,876 | 3,409 | 2.1 | 23,243,845 | 1,021 | 4.4 | 260,327,021 | 5,489 | 2.1 |
1995 | 49,920,484 | 597 | 1.2 | 25,764,300 | 389 | 1.5 | 163,424,735 | 3,543 | 2.2 | 23,693,757 | 1,008 | 4.3 | 262,803,276 | 5,584 | 2.1 |
1996 | 50,085,188 | 570 | 1.1 | 26,357,198 | 362 | 1.4 | 164,729,863 | 3,509 | 2.1 | 24,056,323 | 951 | 4.0 | 265,228,572 | 5,449 | 2.1 |
1997 | 50,364,983 | 513 | 1.0 | 26,730,812 | 371 | 1.4 | 166,278,995 | 3,457 | 2.1 | 24,408,817 | 931 | 3.8 | 267,783,607 | 5,321 | 2.0 |
1998 | 50,527,476 | 464 | 0.9 | 27,174,728 | 351 | 1.3 | 167,752,248 | 3,399 | 2.0 | 24,793,551 | 965 | 3.9 | 270,248,003 | 5,228 | 1.9 |
1999 | 50,667,139 | 449 | 0.9 | 27,518,156 | 333 | 1.2 | 169,412,713 | 3,229 | 1.9 | 25,092,805 | 885 | 3.5 | 272,690,813 | 4,939 | 1.8 |
2000 | 52,219,423 | 403 | 0.8 | 28,326,412 | 337 | 1.2 | 176,086,448 | 3,169 | 1.8 | 25,559,879 | 807 | 3.2 | 282,192,162 | 4,763 | 1.7 |
2001 | 52,341,395 | 363 | 0.7 | 28,437,711 | 346 | 1.2 | 178,525,502 | 3,268 | 1.8 | 25,797,467 | 878 | 3.4 | 285,102,075 | 4,901 | 1.7 |
2002 | 52,332,306 | 317 | 0.6 | 28,644,313 | 353 | 1.2 | 180,959,275 | 3,291 | 1.8 | 26,005,326 | 845 | 3.2 | 287,941,220 | 4,851 | 1.7 |
2003 | 52,187,602 | 327 | 0.6 | 29,028,500 | 348 | 1.2 | 183,371,928 | 3,288 | 1.8 | 26,200,946 | 777 | 3.0 | 290,788,976 | 4,774 | 1.6 |
2004 | 52,151,406 | 293 | 0.6 | 29,400,392 | 305 | 1.0 | 185,766,088 | 3,273 | 1.8 | 26,337,518 | 763 | 2.9 | 293,655,404 | 4,675 | 1.6 |
2005 | 52,149,395 | 274 | 0.5 | 29,589,854 | 325 | 1.1 | 188,012,486 | 3,468 | 1.8 | 26,658,669 | 777 | 2.9 | 296,410,404 | 4,892 | 1.7 |
2006 | 52,306,908 | 267 | 0.5 | 29,772,198 | 314 | 1.1 | 190,434,580 | 3,465 | 1.8 | 26,884,798 | 707 | 2.6 | 299,398,484 | 4,795 | 1.6 |
2007 | 52,585,809 | 243 | 0.5 | 29,775,943 | 343 | 1.2 | 192,123,888 | 3,345 | 1.7 | 27,135,517 | 726 | 2.7 | 301,621,157 | 4,699 | 1.6 |
2008 | 52,929,779 | 215 | 0.4 | 29,710,307 | 320 | 1.1 | 193,898,604 | 3,246 | 1.7 | 27,521,034 | 603 | 2.2 | 304,059,724 | 4,414 | 1.5 |
2009 | 53,753,412 | 201 | 0.4 | 29,667,279 | 259 | 0.9 | 195,799,589 | 3,053 | 1.6 | 27,786,270 | 578 | 2.1 | 307,006,550 | 4,109 | 1.3 |
2010 | 52,943,218 | 212 | 0.4 | 30,324,338 | 295 | 1.0 | 197,645,261 | 3,150 | 1.6 | 27,832,721 | 628 | 2.3 | 308,745,538 | 4,302 | 1.4 |
2011 | 52,950,108 | 169 | 0.3 | 29,895,041 | 298 | 1.0 | 200,226,415 | 3,333 | 1.7 | 28,520,353 | 637 | 2.2 | 311,591,917 | 4,457 | 1.4 |
2012 | 52,872,572 | 208 | 0.4 | 29,632,228 | 289 | 1.0 | 202,241,237 | 3,593 | 1.8 | 29,168,003 | 707 | 2.4 | 313,914,040 | 4,818 | 1.5 |
2013 | 52,723,720 | 208 | 0.4 | 29,524,367 | 241 | 0.8 | 203,785,395 | 3,633 | 1.8 | 30,095,357 | 666 | 2.2 | 316,128,839 | 4,779 | 1.5 |
2014 | 52,666,129 | 167 | 0.3 | 29,469,473 | 267 | 0.9 | 205,803,509 | 3,699 | 1.8 | 30,917,945 | 729 | 2.4 | 318,857,056 | 4,910 | 1.5 |
2015 | 52,747,095 | 187 | 0.4 | 29,378,595 | 278 | 0.9 | 207,599,746 | 4,266 | 2.1 | 31,693,384 | 719 | 2.3 | 321,418,820 | 5,495 | 1.7 |
2016 | 52,767,670 | 198 | 0.4 | 29,359,997 | 322 | 1.1 | 208,835,491 | 4,669 | 2.2 | 32,442,777 | 822 | 2.5 | 323,405,935 | 6,080 | 1.9 |
2017 | 52,738,932 | 173 | 0.3 | 29,414,280 | 286 | 1.0 | 209,543,668 | 4,726 | 2.3 | 34,022,298 | 821 | 2.4 | 325,719,178 | 6,075 | 1.9 |
2018 | 52,561,486 | 165 | 0.3 | 29,421,179 | 252 | 0.9 | 209,840,469 | 5,003 | 2.4 | 35,344,300 | 911 | 2.6 | 327,167,434 | 6,374 | 1.9 |
2019 | 52,231,166 | 138 | 0.3 | 29,394,250 | 221 | 0.8 | 210,010,845 | 4,934 | 2.3 | 36,603,262 | 878 | 2.4 | 328,239,523 | 6,205 | 1.9 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Seventy percent of pedestrians killed in 2019 were males, a proportion that has varied little since 1975.
Pedestrian deaths by sex, 1975-2019 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Male | Female | Total* | |||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
1975 | 5,196 | 69 | 2,319 | 31 | 7,516 | 100 |
1976 | 5,120 | 69 | 2,307 | 31 | 7,427 | 100 |
1977 | 5,331 | 69 | 2,400 | 31 | 7,732 | 100 |
1978 | 5,494 | 70 | 2,296 | 29 | 7,795 | 100 |
1979 | 5,701 | 70 | 2,391 | 30 | 8,096 | 100 |
1980 | 5,613 | 70 | 2,454 | 30 | 8,070 | 100 |
1981 | 5,459 | 70 | 2,332 | 30 | 7,837 | 100 |
1982 | 5,144 | 70 | 2,185 | 30 | 7,331 | 100 |
1983 | 4,775 | 70 | 2,050 | 30 | 6,826 | 100 |
1984 | 5,016 | 71 | 2,005 | 29 | 7,025 | 100 |
1985 | 4,671 | 69 | 2,133 | 31 | 6,808 | 100 |
1986 | 4,771 | 70 | 2,004 | 30 | 6,779 | 100 |
1987 | 4,777 | 71 | 1,967 | 29 | 6,745 | 100 |
1988 | 4,756 | 69 | 2,111 | 31 | 6,870 | 100 |
1989 | 4,594 | 70 | 1,959 | 30 | 6,556 | 100 |
1990 | 4,495 | 69 | 1,985 | 31 | 6,482 | 100 |
1991 | 3,985 | 69 | 1,815 | 31 | 5,801 | 100 |
1992 | 3,867 | 70 | 1,679 | 30 | 5,549 | 100 |
1993 | 3,936 | 70 | 1,711 | 30 | 5,649 | 100 |
1994 | 3,757 | 68 | 1,732 | 32 | 5,489 | 100 |
1995 | 3,856 | 69 | 1,728 | 31 | 5,584 | 100 |
1996 | 3,780 | 69 | 1,667 | 31 | 5,449 | 100 |
1997 | 3,643 | 68 | 1,677 | 32 | 5,321 | 100 |
1998 | 3,558 | 68 | 1,670 | 32 | 5,228 | 100 |
1999 | 3,466 | 70 | 1,472 | 30 | 4,939 | 100 |
2000 | 3,251 | 68 | 1,512 | 32 | 4,763 | 100 |
2001 | 3,421 | 70 | 1,479 | 30 | 4,901 | 100 |
2002 | 3,298 | 68 | 1,552 | 32 | 4,851 | 100 |
2003 | 3,274 | 69 | 1,499 | 31 | 4,774 | 100 |
2004 | 3,237 | 69 | 1,435 | 31 | 4,675 | 100 |
2005 | 3,450 | 71 | 1,441 | 29 | 4,892 | 100 |
2006 | 3,332 | 69 | 1,459 | 30 | 4,795 | 100 |
2007 | 3,288 | 70 | 1,411 | 30 | 4,699 | 100 |
2008 | 3,078 | 70 | 1,331 | 30 | 4,414 | 100 |
2009 | 2,827 | 69 | 1,282 | 31 | 4,109 | 100 |
2010 | 2,961 | 69 | 1,339 | 31 | 4,302 | 100 |
2011 | 3,102 | 70 | 1,354 | 30 | 4,457 | 100 |
2012 | 3,337 | 69 | 1,478 | 31 | 4,818 | 100 |
2013 | 3,277 | 69 | 1,496 | 31 | 4,779 | 100 |
2014 | 3,426 | 70 | 1,477 | 30 | 4,910 | 100 |
2015 | 3,832 | 70 | 1,654 | 30 | 5,495 | 100 |
2016 | 4,245 | 70 | 1,810 | 30 | 6,080 | 100 |
2017 | 4,234 | 70 | 1,812 | 30 | 6,075 | 100 |
2018 | 4,420 | 69 | 1,940 | 30 | 6,374 | 100 |
2019 | 4,344 | 70 | 1,853 | 30 | 6,205 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Alcohol
Forty-two percent of pedestrians 16 and older killed in nighttime (9 p.m. to 6 a.m.) crashes in 2019 had blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) at or above 0.08 percent, compared with 61 percent in 1982. The rate of high BACs among pedestrians 16 and older killed in daytime (6 a.m. to 9 p.m.) crashes in 2019 was 23 percent, compared with 27 percent in 1982.
Estimated number and percent of fatally injured pedestrians age 16 and older with BACs ≥ 0.08 percent by time of day, 1982-2019 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Nighttime (9 p.m. - 6 a.m.) | Daytime (6 a.m. - 9 p.m.) | ||||
Pedestrians killed | Estimated pedestrians killed with BACs ≥ 0.08 | Pedestrians killed | Estimated pedestrians killed with BACs ≥ 0.08 | |||
Number | Number | % | Number | Number | % | |
1982 | 3,033 | 1,861 | 61 | 2,911 | 783 | 27 |
1983 | 2,612 | 1,684 | 64 | 2,940 | 787 | 27 |
1984 | 2,668 | 1,665 | 62 | 3,046 | 750 | 25 |
1985 | 2,467 | 1,528 | 62 | 3,040 | 717 | 24 |
1986 | 2,505 | 1,523 | 61 | 3,004 | 694 | 23 |
1987 | 2,521 | 1,446 | 57 | 3,035 | 710 | 23 |
1988 | 2,515 | 1,475 | 59 | 3,148 | 674 | 21 |
1989 | 2,422 | 1,445 | 60 | 3,095 | 725 | 23 |
1990 | 2,431 | 1,486 | 61 | 3,029 | 633 | 21 |
1991 | 2,201 | 1,295 | 59 | 2,646 | 584 | 22 |
1992 | 2,040 | 1,215 | 60 | 2,673 | 636 | 24 |
1993 | 2,031 | 1,212 | 60 | 2,681 | 630 | 23 |
1994 | 1,945 | 1,091 | 56 | 2,659 | 615 | 23 |
1995 | 2,041 | 1,150 | 56 | 2,716 | 633 | 23 |
1996 | 2,025 | 1,165 | 58 | 2,624 | 627 | 24 |
1997 | 1,882 | 1,041 | 55 | 2,714 | 581 | 21 |
1998 | 1,899 | 1,054 | 55 | 2,666 | 608 | 23 |
1999 | 1,871 | 1,071 | 57 | 2,423 | 566 | 23 |
2000 | 1,743 | 992 | 57 | 2,416 | 529 | 22 |
2001 | 1,856 | 980 | 53 | 2,482 | 566 | 23 |
2002 | 1,893 | 997 | 53 | 2,447 | 576 | 24 |
2003 | 1,843 | 1,000 | 54 | 2,428 | 545 | 22 |
2004 | 1,845 | 997 | 54 | 2,372 | 523 | 22 |
2005 | 1,968 | 1,056 | 54 | 2,462 | 492 | 20 |
2006 | 1,999 | 1,093 | 55 | 2,353 | 548 | 23 |
2007 | 1,932 | 1,036 | 54 | 2,344 | 538 | 23 |
2008 | 1,846 | 983 | 53 | 2,204 | 553 | 25 |
2009 | 1,752 | 928 | 53 | 2,032 | 462 | 23 |
2010 | 1,822 | 942 | 52 | 2,143 | 456 | 21 |
2011 | 1,896 | 1,001 | 53 | 2,256 | 530 | 23 |
2012 | 2,043 | 1,052 | 51 | 2,437 | 564 | 23 |
2013 | 2,031 | 1,020 | 50 | 2,418 | 554 | 23 |
2014 | 2,112 | 1,026 | 49 | 2,491 | 562 | 23 |
2015 | 2,384 | 1,063 | 45 | 2,767 | 698 | 25 |
2016 | 2,682 | 1,206 | 45 | 3,018 | 750 | 25 |
2017 | 2,698 | 1,153 | 43 | 3,025 | 717 | 24 |
2018 | 2,922 | 1,237 | 42 | 3,167 | 772 | 24 |
2019 | 2,825 | 1,186 | 42 | 3,114 | 730 | 23 |
Where they died
Eighty-two percent of pedestrian deaths in 2019 occurred in urban areas, up from 59 percent in 1975.
Pedestrian deaths by land use, 1975-2019 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Urban | Rural | Total* | |||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
1975 | 4,401 | 59 | 3,115 | 41 | 7,516 | 100 |
1976 | 4,409 | 59 | 3,013 | 41 | 7,427 | 100 |
1977 | 4,997 | 65 | 2,711 | 35 | 7,732 | 100 |
1978 | 4,934 | 64 | 2,748 | 36 | 7,795 | 100 |
1979 | 5,309 | 66 | 2,688 | 34 | 8,096 | 100 |
1980 | 5,279 | 66 | 2,698 | 34 | 8,070 | 100 |
1981 | 5,066 | 66 | 2,614 | 34 | 7,837 | 100 |
1982 | 4,809 | 66 | 2,455 | 34 | 7,331 | 100 |
1983 | 4,477 | 66 | 2,341 | 34 | 6,826 | 100 |
1984 | 4,660 | 66 | 2,360 | 34 | 7,025 | 100 |
1985 | 4,586 | 67 | 2,215 | 33 | 6,808 | 100 |
1986 | 4,580 | 68 | 2,197 | 32 | 6,779 | 100 |
1987 | 4,631 | 69 | 2,105 | 31 | 6,745 | 100 |
1988 | 4,650 | 68 | 2,216 | 32 | 6,870 | 100 |
1989 | 4,620 | 71 | 1,931 | 29 | 6,556 | 100 |
1990 | 4,619 | 71 | 1,855 | 29 | 6,482 | 100 |
1991 | 4,053 | 70 | 1,738 | 30 | 5,801 | 100 |
1992 | 3,923 | 71 | 1,597 | 29 | 5,549 | 100 |
1993 | 3,949 | 70 | 1,663 | 30 | 5,649 | 100 |
1994 | 3,934 | 72 | 1,543 | 28 | 5,489 | 100 |
1995 | 3,914 | 70 | 1,644 | 30 | 5,584 | 100 |
1996 | 3,838 | 71 | 1,596 | 29 | 5,449 | 100 |
1997 | 3,699 | 70 | 1,611 | 30 | 5,321 | 100 |
1998 | 3,584 | 69 | 1,611 | 31 | 5,228 | 100 |
1999 | 3,400 | 69 | 1,519 | 31 | 4,939 | 100 |
2000 | 3,298 | 71 | 1,376 | 29 | 4,763 | 100 |
2001 | 3,437 | 70 | 1,452 | 30 | 4,901 | 100 |
2002 | 3,421 | 71 | 1,418 | 29 | 4,851 | 100 |
2003 | 3,479 | 73 | 1,283 | 27 | 4,774 | 100 |
2004 | 3,393 | 73 | 1,274 | 27 | 4,675 | 100 |
2005 | 3,618 | 74 | 1,245 | 26 | 4,892 | 100 |
2006 | 3,521 | 74 | 1,234 | 26 | 4,795 | 100 |
2007 | 3,442 | 74 | 1,236 | 26 | 4,699 | 100 |
2008 | 3,184 | 72 | 1,210 | 28 | 4,414 | 100 |
2009 | 2,947 | 72 | 1,146 | 28 | 4,109 | 100 |
2010 | 3,129 | 73 | 1,146 | 27 | 4,302 | 100 |
2011 | 3,269 | 74 | 1,171 | 26 | 4,457 | 100 |
2012 | 3,541 | 74 | 1,267 | 26 | 4,818 | 100 |
2013 | 3,502 | 73 | 1,270 | 27 | 4,779 | 100 |
2014 | 3,806 | 78 | 1,092 | 22 | 4,910 | 100 |
2015 | 4,056 | 77 | 1,202 | 23 | 5,495 | 100 |
2016 | 4,783 | 79 | 1,256 | 21 | 6,080 | 100 |
2017 | 4,889 | 81 | 1,154 | 19 | 6,075 | 100 |
2018 | 5,222 | 82 | 1,122 | 18 | 6,374 | 100 |
2019 | 5,070 | 82 | 1,091 | 18 | 6,205 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Thirty-seven percent of pedestrian deaths among people 70 and older in 2019 occurred at intersections, compared with 23 percent for those younger than 70.
Pedestrian deaths by occurrence at intersection and age, 2019 | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
<13 years | 13-19 years | 20-69 years | ≥ 70 years | Total* | ||||||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
Non-intersection | 103 | 75 | 168 | 76 | 3,801 | 77 | 555 | 63 | 4,653 | 75 |
Intersection | 35 | 25 | 53 | 24 | 1,133 | 23 | 323 | 37 | 1,552 | 25 |
Total* | 138 | 100 | 221 | 100 | 4,934 | 100 | 878 | 100 | 6,205 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Sixty-three percent of pedestrian deaths in 2019 occurred on major roads other than interstates and freeways.
Pedestrian deaths by road type, 2019 | ||
---|---|---|
Road type | Number | % |
Interstates and freeways | 918 | 15 |
Other major roads | 3,929 | 63 |
Minor roads | 1,307 | 21 |
All road types* | 6,205 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
In urban areas, 52 percent of pedestrian deaths in 2019 occurred on roads with speed limits of 40 mph or less; in rural areas, 17 percent of deaths occurred on such roads.
Pedestrian deaths by speed limit and land use, 2019 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Speed limit | Urban | Rural | Total* | |||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
No limit | 43 | 1 | 3 | <1 | 58 | 1 |
<35 mph | 972 | 19 | 66 | 6 | 1,057 | 17 |
35-40 mph | 1,670 | 33 | 122 | 11 | 1,795 | 29 |
45-50 mph | 1,170 | 23 | 186 | 17 | 1,356 | 22 |
55+ mph | 1,171 | 23 | 704 | 65 | 1,881 | 30 |
Unknown | 44 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 58 | 1 |
Total* | 5,070 | 100 | 1,091 | 100 | 6,205 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
When they died
Twenty-five percent of pedestrian deaths in 2019 occurred in crashes between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. and 24 percent occurred between 9 p.m. and midnight.
Pedestrian deaths by time of day, 2019 | ||
---|---|---|
Time of day | Deaths | % |
Midnight - 3 a.m. | 729 | 12 |
3 a.m. - 6 a.m. | 660 | 11 |
6 a.m. - 9 a.m. | 549 | 9 |
9 a.m. - noon | 301 | 5 |
Noon - 3 p.m. | 297 | 5 |
3 p.m. - 6 p.m. | 572 | 9 |
6 p.m. - 9 p.m. | 1,578 | 25 |
9 p.m. - midnight | 1,493 | 24 |
Total* | 6,205 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
The largest proportions of pedestrian deaths in 2019 occurred on Fridays and Saturdays (16 and 17 percent, respectively).
Pedestrian deaths by day of week, 2019 | ||
---|---|---|
Day of week | Deaths | % |
Sunday | 786 | 13 |
Monday | 836 | 13 |
Tuesday | 820 | 13 |
Wednesday | 814 | 13 |
Thursday | 901 | 15 |
Friday | 1,006 | 16 |
Saturday | 1,042 | 17 |
Total* | 6,205 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Pedestrian deaths in 2019 were most frequent in October, November, and December (10 percent each).
Pedestrian deaths by month, 2019 | ||
---|---|---|
Deaths | % | |
January | 576 | 9 |
February | 532 | 9 |
March | 493 | 8 |
April | 439 | 7 |
May | 437 | 7 |
June | 409 | 7 |
July | 454 | 7 |
August | 498 | 8 |
September | 531 | 9 |
October | 598 | 10 |
November | 616 | 10 |
December | 622 | 10 |
Total | 6,205 | 100 |