Safety experts detail risks of walking on high-speed roads

The short version

• Safety data shows the majority of pedestrian fatalities occur on roads with high speed limits and a lack of sidewalks.[Jalopnik]
• Federal estimates indicate over 7,000 pedestrians were killed on public roads in 2024, with high speeds and lack of infrastructure listed as major risk factors.[Jalopnik]
• A Finnish study showed a 77 percent reduction in vehicle-pedestrian incidents when individuals walked facing oncoming traffic.[Jalopnik]

Key facts

• According to the NHTSA, 7,080 pedestrians were killed on public roads in 2024.[Jalopnik]
• The IIHS reported that 62 percent of pedestrian fatalities in 2024 occurred on roads with speed limits of 55 mph or higher.[Jalopnik]
• The GHSA noted that 62.2 percent of 2024 pedestrian deaths occurred along roadways missing sidewalks.[Jalopnik]
• A Finnish study analyzing accidents from 2006 to 2010 found a 77 percent reduction in pedestrian-vehicle crashes when pedestrians faced oncoming traffic.[Jalopnik]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

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