Walking should be one of the safest and most natural ways to get around. But across the United States, it’s becoming increasingly dangerous. More pedestrians are being struck and killed than we’ve seen in decades. 2022 recorded the highest number of pedestrian fatalities since 1981, signaling a growing crisis on our roads.
As more people turn to walking and other environmentally conscious travel methods, it’s crucial to understand the risks they face. This recent analysis by the Schiller Kessler Group takes a closer look at the U.S. cities and states where pedestrians are most at risk and the main causes behind these deadly incidents.
A Snapshot of the Crisis
In 2022, 7,522 pedestrians lost their lives in traffic crashes. That means one pedestrian died every 70 minutes. In total, pedestrian deaths made up nearly 18% of all traffic fatalities that year. On top of that, more than 66,000 pedestrians were injured in crashes, many sustaining life-changing harm.
The Cities With the Highest Pedestrian Death Rates
Certain cities stand out for having the highest number of pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents. These urban areas often combine heavy traffic, high speeds, and limited pedestrian infrastructure.
Here are the cities with the most recorded pedestrian deaths in 2022:
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Los Angeles, CA: 153 deaths
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Phoenix, AZ: 117 deaths
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Houston, TX: 111 deaths
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New York, NY: 110 deaths
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Memphis, TN: 83 deaths
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Dallas, TX: 72 deaths
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San Antonio, TX: 66 deaths
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Philadelphia, PA: 60 deaths
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San Diego, CA & Tucson, AZ: 54 deaths each
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Austin, TX: 47 deaths
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States With the Most Pedestrian Deaths
While major cities top the list, the problem extends well beyond urban centers. The states with the most pedestrian fatalities in 2022 were:
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California: 1,158 deaths
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Texas: 797 deaths
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Florida: 773 deaths
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Georgia: 345 deaths
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New York: 303 deaths
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Arizona: 295 deaths
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North Carolina: 257 deaths
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Tennessee: 210 deaths
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Illinois: 191 deaths
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Louisiana: 181 deaths
States with large populations, sprawling infrastructure, and higher vehicle speeds tend to see more fatalities, especially in areas not built with pedestrian safety in mind.
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Why Are So Many Pedestrians Getting Hit?
Many factors contribute to the rising number of pedestrian deaths. While every crash is different, four key trends stand out:
1. Speed: The faster a car is going, the deadlier the outcome. At 58 mph, a pedestrian has a 90% chance of not surviving if hit.
2. Vehicle size: Larger vehicles—like SUVs and trucks—tend to cause more severe injuries to pedestrians. Here’s how the 2022 fatality data breaks down by vehicle type:
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SUVs, pickups, and vans: 2,945 deaths
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Passenger cars: 2,196 deaths
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Large trucks: 390 deaths
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Buses: 41 deaths
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Unknown or other vehicle types: 836 deaths
3. Dangerous locations: Multi-lane intersections, wide roads with speed limits between 45 and 55 mph, and busy commercial corridors are frequent sites for deadly collisions.
4. Alcohol: Impairment plays a huge role in these tragedies. In 2022, 48% of pedestrian deaths involved alcohol, either on the part of the pedestrian (30%) or the driver (18%).
Who Is Most at Risk?
While anyone can be a victim, certain age groups are more frequently involved in fatal pedestrian crashes. In 2022, the most affected group was men between the ages of 55 and 64, with 1,009 deaths reported.
Other age groups with high fatality numbers included:
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Ages 35–44: 986 deaths
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Ages 25–34: 880 deaths
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Ages 45–54: 809 deaths
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Ages 65–74: 637 deaths
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Ages 74 and older: 393 deaths
Women between 25 and 34 years old were most at risk, with 393 deaths, followed closely by:
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Ages 35–44: 364 deaths
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Ages 55–64: 335 deaths
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Ages 45–54: 314 deaths
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Ages 65–74: 263 deaths
Even children are not immune. In 2022, 35 children under age 5 were killed while walking, as were 33 children aged 5 to 9.
Timing also plays a role. Most pedestrian fatalities happen between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., when visibility drops, traffic increases, and drivers are more likely to be tired or impaired.
What Can We Do to Make Streets Safer?
The growing number of pedestrian deaths isn’t just unfortunate—it’s preventable. Cities, drivers, and policymakers all have a role to play in making walking safer.
1. Expand and improve sidewalks
More protected space for pedestrians means less chance of being hit by vehicles.
2. Improve street lighting
Better visibility helps drivers see pedestrians, especially during evening hours when most fatalities occur.
3. Lower speed limits in high-traffic pedestrian areas
Slower speeds give drivers more time to react and significantly reduce the severity of crashes.
4. Increase enforcement of drunk driving and speeding laws
Holding reckless drivers accountable is one of the most direct ways to save lives.
The Bottom Line
Pedestrian safety in the U.S. is in crisis, and the data is clear: something needs to change. Every number in these statistics represents a real person, a family left grieving, and a life that ended too soon.
By addressing the underlying causes of pedestrian fatalities and redesigning our streets with people, not just cars, in mind, we can turn this trend around.
The road should be a place where everyone feels safe, whether they’re behind the wheel or walking to their destination.
