The average American life of pedestrians is vulnerable as road users. 2023’s Consumer Reports highlighted that nearly 1 in 5 Americans faced a situation where either they or a family member had been hit by a car or experienced a near miss within the past year.
To diagnose the pressing concerns about America’s street safety, we analyzed public data, including state populations and pedestrian fatality rates, to identify which states offer the safest environments for walking and which pose greater risks.
Our findings show Massachusetts as the safest state for pedestrians, with the lowest fatality rate of 8.50 deaths per 100,000 residents. Unfortunately, Mississippi poses maximum danger with a pedestrian death rate of 33.40 per 100,000 people.
Here, we explore beyond these numbers, offering insights into the factors contributing to pedestrian safety or danger across the United States. Find out what makes some states safer for those on foot and why others have higher risks for road users everywhere.
Key Findings
- Mississippi is the most dangerous state for pedestrians, with the highest death rate of 33.40 per 100,000 people.
- New Mexico and South Carolina are the second and third most dangerous states, with fatality rates of 32.73 and 29.70 deaths per 100,000 residents, respectively.
- Massachusetts is the safest state for pedestrians, with the lowest fatality rate of 8.50 deaths per 100,000 residents.
- Minnesota and New Hampshire follow as the second and third safest states, with fatality rates of 9.32 and 9.41 deaths per 100,000 residents, respectively.
- Among the top 10 states with the highest pedestrian death rates, Florida reports 5,815 deaths but only ranks 6th due to a higher population.
- Clear weather, surprisingly, sees the highest rate of pedestrian fatalities at 70.35%, revealing that optimal conditions can still pose significant risks.
- Interestingly, the majority of pedestrian fatalities, 76.7%, do not involve alcohol, with only 23.3% of cases reporting alcohol influence.
The Safest and Most Dangerous States for American Pedestrians (Infographic)
Pedestrian Safety State Ranking (Table)
10 Most Dangerous States for Pedestrians
1. Mississippi
Mississippi faces a critical challenge as the most dangerous state for pedestrians, with a rate of 33.40 deaths per 100,000. The state's 982 fatalities signal a pressing need for aggressive policy interventions and infrastructure enhancements aimed at pedestrian safety. Recent efforts might include revising crosswalk policies and enhancing public awareness campaigns to address this dire situation.
2. New Mexico
In New Mexico, the situation is alarming, with 692 pedestrian deaths, indicating a rate of 32.73 per 100,000. The state could benefit from implementing more comprehensive pedestrian safety laws and investing in safer pedestrian infrastructure, like better-lit crosswalks and pedestrian bridges, to combat its high fatality rate.
3. South Carolina
South Carolina reports 1,596 deaths, a rate of 29.70 per 100,000, placing it third. The state's approach may need to focus on enforcing stricter traffic laws, improving pedestrian crossings, and increasing public education on road safety to reduce these numbers.
4. Louisiana
Louisiana, with 1,302 deaths and a rate of 28.47 per 100,000, might look into adopting more robust urban planning that prioritizes pedestrian zones and safety features within its cities. Efforts could also include state-wide initiatives to reduce vehicle speeds in pedestrian-heavy areas.
5. Arkansas
Arkansas ranks fifth with 832 fatalities, a death rate of 27.12 per 100,000. The state might explore enhancing pedestrian safety through initiatives such as introducing more pedestrian-only zones in urban centers and improving the overall walkability of its communities.
6. Florida
Despite its high population, Florida's 5,815 deaths and a rate of 25.72 per 100,000 highlight the need for urgent action. The state has been actively working to improve pedestrian safety through initiatives like the Florida Pedestrian and Bicycling Safety Resource Center, aiming to educate the public and promote safer walking and biking environments.
7. Alabama
Alabama, with a death rate of 25.23 per 100,000 from 1,289 deaths, could benefit from enhanced road safety audits and the adoption of complete street policies that accommodate all users, including pedestrians, to make walking safer.
8. Arizona
Arizona, experiencing 1,819 deaths and a rate of 24.48 per 100,000, might focus on heat mitigation strategies in urban planning to protect pedestrians in its hot climate, alongside improving crosswalk safety and visibility to reduce fatalities.
9. Wyoming
Wyoming faces unique challenges, with 142 deaths and a rate of 24.31 per 100,000. The state could improve pedestrian safety by focusing on rural road safety, implementing speed reduction measures, and ensuring that pedestrian infrastructure is suited to its varied terrain.
10. Tennessee
Tennessee, with 1,651 pedestrian deaths and a rate of 23.17 per 100,000, might enhance pedestrian safety by focusing on traffic calming measures in urban areas, improving pedestrian right-of-way laws, and investing in educational programs that promote shared road usage awareness among drivers and pedestrians alike.
10 Safest States for Pedestrians
1. Massachusetts
Massachusetts is the safest state for pedestrians, with the lowest death rate of 8.50 per 100,000 residents. Ranked first, it has managed this feat despite its dense urban areas, recording 595 deaths. The state's proactive approach to pedestrian safety, emphasizing comprehensive urban planning and robust safety measures, sets a standard for others.
2. Minnesota
With 535 deaths, Minnesota showcases its commitment to pedestrian safety, securing the second spot with a death rate of 9.32 per 100,000. Its efforts in pedestrian infrastructure improvement and safety initiatives are commendable, reflecting a strong dedication to creating safer walking environments.
3. New Hampshire
Following it, New Hampshire, not among the most populated but equally focused on safety, ranks third with 132 deaths, translating to a death rate of 9.41 per 100,000, underscoring the impact of targeted safety programs and community awareness.
4. Rhode Island
Rhode Island, ranking fourth, demonstrates its commitment to pedestrian safety with a fatality rate of 9.76 per 100,000 residents, totaling 107 deaths. This achievement is attributed to the state's effective urban planning and pedestrian pathway maintenance, proving that small states can make big strides in safety.
5. New York
Among the top 5 most populated states, New York stands out for its pedestrian safety efforts, ranking fifth with a death rate of 10.13 per 100,000, from 1,982 deaths. Its extensive public transportation network and pedestrian-friendly city planning are pivotal in mitigating pedestrian fatalities, showcasing how high-population states can effectively manage pedestrian safety.
6. Utah
Utah finds itself in sixth place, reporting 408 deaths, which results in a death rate of 11.94 per 100,000. The state's wide-ranging safety campaigns and pedestrian infrastructure improvements speak volumes about its holistic approach to ensuring pedestrian well-being.
7. Washington
In seventh place, Washington, with 957 deaths, achieves a death rate of 12.25 per 100,000. The state's investment in pedestrian safety programs and enforcement actions highlights its commitment to making walking safer for everyone.
8. Iowa
Iowa, ranked eighth, has seen 400 pedestrian deaths, resulting in a death rate of 12.47 per 100,000. The state's blend of rural and urban planning strategies effectively addresses pedestrian safety, showcasing the importance of comprehensive safety approaches.
9. Idaho
Idaho stands ninth with 248 deaths, yielding a death rate of 12.62 per 100,000. Its local initiatives aimed at enhancing road safety for pedestrians are starting to show promising results, indicating a positive direction in pedestrian safety efforts.
10. Vermont
Vermont, completing the top ten safest states, records 83 deaths, translating to a death rate of 12.82 per 100,000. Its community-focused safety efforts and pedestrian-friendly planning have significantly contributed to its ranking, proving the effectiveness of targeted safety measures in smaller communities.
Weather's Impact on Pedestrian Safety
Weather conditions play a pivotal role in pedestrian safety, significantly influencing the likelihood of road accidents and fatalities.
Our analysis, surprisingly, reveals that the majority of pedestrian deaths occur under clear weather conditions, accounting for 70.35% of fatalities. This may initially seem counterintuitive, but clear weather can lead to more people choosing to walk and more vehicles on the road, thereby increasing the chances of pedestrian-vehicle encounters.
Cloudy weather is the second most common condition during pedestrian fatalities, accounting for 12.97% of the deaths. This could be due to reduced visibility and drivers' difficulty spotting pedestrians from a distance. Rainy conditions follow, accounting for 7.94% of the deaths, where slippery roads and poor visibility further heighten the risk for pedestrians.
Interestingly, more extreme weather conditions, such as fog, smog, smoke, snow, and severe crosswinds, account for a smaller fraction of the fatalities. This suggests that fewer people choose to walk in such weather, or both drivers and pedestrians exercise greater caution.
Clear and cloudy weather, despite being less severe, poses significant risks due to higher pedestrian and vehicle activity. This emphasizes the need for targeted safety measures and public awareness campaigns to mitigate these risks.
Alcohol Influence on Pedestrian Fatalities
Alcohol consumption may affect pedestrian safety, but our findings point toward the significant impact of sober pedestrians in traffic incidents.
While the majority of pedestrian deaths involve individuals not under the influence, with 31,869 fatalities accounting for 76.7% of cases, a substantial 23.3% (9,692 deaths) occurred when alcohol was a factor.
This data highlights the critical need for awareness and interventions targeting alcohol consumption among pedestrians and drivers alike. By addressing the impact of alcohol, we can take a significant step towards reducing the risk and improving safety for everyone on the road.
Methodology
To evaluate and rank the safety levels of U.S. states for pedestrians, our study incorporated a comprehensive analysis of combining pedestrian fatality data with state population data.
Fatality:
We sourced fatality death rates from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), a comprehensive national database that tracks fatal injuries in motor vehicle traffic crashes. This source provided us with the raw numbers of pedestrian deaths in each state.
Population:
To put these numbers into perspective, we obtained population statistics for each state from the U.S. Census. This allowed us to calculate the rate of pedestrian fatalities relative to the state population size.
Calculating Fatality Rates
With both sets of data in hand, we computed the pedestrian death rate per 100,000 residents for each state. This rate offers a clear, standardized measure of pedestrian safety that accounts for differences in state populations.
Ranking States
Finally, we ranked the states based on their pedestrian fatality rates. The ten states with the lowest rates were classified as the safest for pedestrians, while those with the highest rates were identified as the most dangerous.
Through this methodology, we aimed to provide a clear and accessible overview of pedestrian safety across the United States, highlighting where walkers face the greatest and least risk on the streets.