It’s time pedestrians are safe!
Anthony Foxx, the nation’s Transportation Secretary has two top priorities: fix the nation’s crumbling infrastructure and improve pedestrian safety.
Pedestrian Fatality Statistics
Fatalities including pedestrians increased by 6.4 percent in 2012 - the third consecutive year that has seen increases. This is twice as much as the overall increase in traffic deaths.
According to government data, the majority of pedestrian deaths occurred in urban areas, at non-intersections, and at night. Alcohol was also a factor in many of these deaths. In 2012 more than 4,700 pedestrians were killed - making up 14 percent of all people killed in vehicle related accidents. And last year the number of pedestrians injured by cars increased by 10 percent.
Foxx A Victim Himself
“I was jogging one morning, and I got hit by a car. And while I was lucky, too many people aren’t. These kinds of injuries are trending upwards across the country,” Foxx said. “As a mayor, I saw an uptick in the number of joggers and walkers and bicyclists hurt on the road. … You can expect me to bring more attention to pedestrian and bicycle safety during my time as secretary.”
Big Cities Most Dangerous for Pedestrians
The four most dangerous areas for pedestrians are actually in Florida: Orlando, Tampa-St. Petersburg, Jacksonville, and the Miami area.
Last August, Foxx invited states that are home to cities with the highest number of pedestrian deaths to apply for six grants to help ensure increased pedestrian safety.
“Whether you live in a city or a small town, and whether you drive a car, take the bus or ride a train, at some point in the day, everyone is a pedestrian,” Foxx said.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 3 out of 4 pedestrian deaths occur in big cities. Of that, 70 percent are at night and many involve alcohol. At the same time, the amount of overall road deaths has decreased.
The Federal Highway Administration has also made pedestrian safety a priority - awarding $3.8 billion to more than 11,000 projects that focus on making travel safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, since 2009.
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