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FATALITY FACTS 2007
Pedestrians
Pedestrian motor vehicle crash deaths have declined dramatically since 1975 but still account for 11 percent of crash deaths. 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. Many pedestrians are killed on crosswalks, sidewalks, median strips, and traffic islands. Physical separations such as overpasses, underpasses, and barriers can reduce the problem. Increased illumination and improved signal timing at intersections also can be effective. Because traffic speeds affect the risk and severity of pedestrian crashes, reducing speeds can reduce pedestrian deaths. Retting, R.A.; Ferguson, S.A.; and McCartt, A.T. 2003. A review of evidence-based traffic engineering measures to reduce pedestrian-motor vehicle crashes. American Journal of Public Health. 93:1456-63.
Vehicle factors count, too, because the most serious injuries often result from pedestrians being thrown onto the hoods, windshields, or tops of vehicles. Serious head, pelvis, and leg injuries are common, and the severity of such injuries could be mitigated by improving vehicle designs and materials. Daniel, S., Jr. 2004. The role of the vehicle front end in pedestrian impact protection. Pedestrian Safety (PT-112), 99-112. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers.
The following facts are based on analysis of data from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
Data subsections:
Trends Age and gender Alcohol Where they died` When they died
Trends
A total of 4,654 pedestrian deaths occurred in 2007, down 38 percent from 1975. Since 1975 pedestrian deaths have declined from 17 percent of all motor vehicle crash deaths to 11 percent in 2007.
Pedestrian deaths and other motor vehicle crash deaths, 1975-2007
| Pedestrian deaths and other motor vehicle crash deaths, 1975-2007 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Pedestrian deaths | Other deaths | All motor vehicle deaths | ||
| Num | % | Num | % | Num | |
| 1975 | 7,516 | 17 | 37,009 | 83 | 44,525 |
| 1976 | 7,427 | 16 | 38,096 | 84 | 45,523 |
| 1977 | 7,732 | 16 | 40,146 | 84 | 47,878 |
| 1978 | 7,795 | 15 | 42,536 | 85 | 50,331 |
| 1979 | 8,096 | 16 | 42,997 | 84 | 51,093 |
| 1980 | 8,070 | 16 | 43,021 | 84 | 51,091 |
| 1981 | 7,837 | 16 | 41,464 | 84 | 49,301 |
| 1982 | 7,331 | 17 | 36,614 | 83 | 43,945 |
| 1983 | 6,826 | 16 | 35,763 | 84 | 42,589 |
| 1984 | 7,025 | 16 | 37,232 | 84 | 44,257 |
| 1985 | 6,808 | 16 | 37,017 | 84 | 43,825 |
| 1986 | 6,779 | 15 | 39,308 | 85 | 46,087 |
| 1987 | 6,745 | 15 | 39,645 | 85 | 46,390 |
| 1988 | 6,870 | 15 | 40,217 | 85 | 47,087 |
| 1989 | 6,556 | 14 | 39,026 | 86 | 45,582 |
| 1990 | 6,482 | 15 | 38,117 | 85 | 44,599 |
| 1991 | 5,801 | 14 | 35,707 | 86 | 41,508 |
| 1992 | 5,549 | 14 | 33,701 | 86 | 39,250 |
| 1993 | 5,649 | 14 | 34,501 | 86 | 40,150 |
| 1994 | 5,489 | 13 | 35,227 | 87 | 40,716 |
| 1995 | 5,584 | 13 | 36,233 | 87 | 41,817 |
| 1996 | 5,449 | 13 | 36,616 | 87 | 42,065 |
| 1997 | 5,321 | 13 | 36,692 | 87 | 42,013 |
| 1998 | 5,228 | 13 | 36,273 | 87 | 41,501 |
| 1999 | 4,939 | 12 | 36,778 | 88 | 41,717 |
| 2000 | 4,763 | 11 | 37,182 | 89 | 41,945 |
| 2001 | 4,901 | 12 | 37,295 | 88 | 42,196 |
| 2002 | 4,851 | 11 | 38,154 | 89 | 43,005 |
| 2003 | 4,774 | 11 | 38,110 | 89 | 42,884 |
| 2004 | 4,675 | 11 | 38,161 | 89 | 42,836 |
| 2005 | 4,892 | 11 | 38,618 | 89 | 43,510 |
| 2006 | 4,795 | 11 | 37,913 | 89 | 42,708 |
| 2007 | 4,654 | 11 | 36,405 | 89 | 41,059 |
Twenty percent of pedestrian deaths in 2007 occurred in hit-and-run crashes.
| Pedestrian deaths by hit-and-run occurrence, 2007 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hit-and-run | No hit-and-run | Total* | ||
| Num | % | Num | % | Num |
| 912 | 20 | 3,720 | 80 | 4,654 |
| *Total includes other and/or unknowns | ||||
Age and gender
The rate of pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people decreased 56 percent between 1975 and 2007. The pedestrian death rate for children ages 0-12 decreased 87 percent. Children this age had the third highest pedestrian death rate in 1975 but in 2007 had the lowest. The death rate for pedestrians 70 and older has declined 71 percent since 1975. Pedestrians this age had the highest death rate in 1975 and continue to have the highest rate despite the large decline.
Pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people by age, 1975-2007
| Pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people by age, 1975-2007 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | <13 | 13-19 | 20-34 | 35-59 | 60-69 | ≥ 70 | Total* |
| 1975 | 3.6 | 2.7 | 2.4 | 3.0 | 4.1 | 9.3 | 3.5 |
| 1976 | 3.4 | 2.9 | 2.4 | 2.9 | 4.1 | 8.6 | 3.4 |
| 1977 | 3.1 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 2.9 | 4.6 | 9.0 | 3.5 |
| 1978 | 3.2 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 3.0 | 4.2 | 7.6 | 3.5 |
| 1979 | 2.9 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 3.0 | 4.3 | 7.8 | 3.6 |
| 1980 | 2.7 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 8.0 | 3.6 |
| 1981 | 2.4 | 2.9 | 3.3 | 2.9 | 3.6 | 7.4 | 3.4 |
| 1982 | 2.2 | 2.9 | 3.2 | 2.8 | 3.3 | 6.3 | 3.2 |
| 1983 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 2.9 | 2.5 | 3.3 | 5.9 | 2.9 |
| 1984 | 2.1 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 6.2 | 3.0 |
| 1985 | 2.1 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 6.1 | 2.9 |
| 1986 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 2.8 | 2.5 | 2.7 | 5.9 | 2.8 |
| 1987 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 3.2 | 5.8 | 2.8 |
| 1988 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 2.7 | 2.5 | 3.1 | 6.3 | 2.8 |
| 1989 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 2.9 | 5.7 | 2.7 |
| 1990 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 5.6 | 2.6 |
| 1991 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 2.3 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 4.8 | 2.3 |
| 1992 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 2.5 | 4.5 | 2.2 |
| 1993 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 4.4 | 2.2 |
| 1994 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 2.3 | 4.4 | 2.1 |
| 1995 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 2.5 | 4.3 | 2.1 |
| 1996 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 2.5 | 4.0 | 2.1 |
| 1997 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 3.8 | 2.0 |
| 1998 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 2.3 | 3.9 | 1.9 |
| 1999 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 3.5 | 1.8 |
| 2000 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 3.2 | 1.7 |
| 2001 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 3.4 | 1.7 |
| 2002 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 2.2 | 3.2 | 1.7 |
| 2003 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 1.6 |
| 2004 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 2.9 | 1.6 |
| 2005 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 2.9 | 1.7 |
| 2006 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 2.6 | 1.6 |
| 2007 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 2.7 | 1.5 |
| *Total includes other and/or unknowns | |||||||
More details: population and number of pedestrian deaths
| Pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people by age, 1975-2007 | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | <13 | 13-19 | 20-34 | 35-59 | 60-69 | ≥ 70 | ||||||||||||
| Population | Num | Rate | Population | Num | Rate | Population | Num | Rate | Population | Num | Rate | Population | Num | Rate | Population | Num | Rate | |
| 1975 | 45,851,304 | 1,632 | 3.6 | 29,795,023 | 796 | 2.7 | 50,998,098 | 1,236 | 2.4 | 57,233,228 | 1,694 | 3.0 | 17,531,601 | 726 | 4.1 | 14,563,945 | 1,348 | 9.3 |
| 1976 | 45,000,704 | 1,522 | 3.4 | 29,909,414 | 855 | 2.9 | 52,745,005 | 1,292 | 2.4 | 57,600,060 | 1,651 | 2.9 | 17,819,861 | 735 | 4.1 | 14,960,120 | 1,291 | 8.6 |
| 1977 | 44,337,332 | 1,390 | 3.1 | 29,800,313 | 835 | 2.8 | 54,497,448 | 1,487 | 2.7 | 58,124,426 | 1,668 | 2.9 | 18,078,657 | 837 | 4.6 | 15,401,249 | 1,383 | 9.0 |
| 1978 | 43,907,467 | 1,419 | 3.2 | 29,543,252 | 868 | 2.9 | 55,909,063 | 1,604 | 2.9 | 59,035,863 | 1,779 | 3.0 | 18,312,359 | 777 | 4.2 | 15,876,541 | 1,214 | 7.6 |
| 1979 | 43,778,959 | 1,291 | 2.9 | 29,077,607 | 923 | 3.2 | 57,499,197 | 1,832 | 3.2 | 59,699,815 | 1,813 | 3.0 | 18,611,292 | 792 | 4.3 | 16,388,617 | 1,277 | 7.8 |
| 1980 | 43,914,342 | 1,183 | 2.7 | 28,486,487 | 906 | 3.2 | 58,814,391 | 1,919 | 3.3 | 60,159,384 | 1,792 | 3.0 | 18,952,138 | 750 | 4.0 | 16,897,977 | 1,344 | 8.0 |
| 1981 | 44,049,940 | 1,064 | 2.4 | 27,743,947 | 797 | 2.9 | 60,563,416 | 2,002 | 3.3 | 60,528,289 | 1,758 | 2.9 | 19,257,302 | 697 | 3.6 | 17,322,714 | 1,278 | 7.4 |
| 1982 | 44,131,596 | 986 | 2.2 | 27,160,586 | 793 | 2.9 | 61,099,524 | 1,925 | 3.2 | 61,918,207 | 1,715 | 2.8 | 19,570,695 | 653 | 3.3 | 17,783,888 | 1,124 | 6.3 |
| 1983 | 44,119,297 | 944 | 2.1 | 26,737,497 | 671 | 2.5 | 61,840,154 | 1,792 | 2.9 | 63,079,650 | 1,591 | 2.5 | 19,781,554 | 643 | 3.3 | 18,233,751 | 1,081 | 5.9 |
| 1984 | 43,978,044 | 935 | 2.1 | 26,435,885 | 615 | 2.3 | 62,491,255 | 1,829 | 2.9 | 64,239,802 | 1,686 | 2.6 | 20,016,859 | 665 | 3.3 | 18,662,938 | 1,164 | 6.2 |
| 1985 | 44,260,136 | 925 | 2.1 | 26,001,247 | 592 | 2.3 | 62,961,154 | 1,687 | 2.7 | 65,378,882 | 1,685 | 2.6 | 20,249,528 | 621 | 3.1 | 19,072,785 | 1,170 | 6.1 |
| 1986 | 44,755,454 | 913 | 2.0 | 25,592,481 | 584 | 2.3 | 63,115,889 | 1,751 | 2.8 | 66,802,926 | 1,702 | 2.5 | 20,402,611 | 552 | 2.7 | 19,463,480 | 1,157 | 5.9 |
| 1987 | 45,348,247 | 898 | 2.0 | 25,209,615 | 518 | 2.1 | 63,032,298 | 1,656 | 2.6 | 68,290,374 | 1,781 | 2.6 | 20,517,672 | 654 | 3.2 | 19,890,817 | 1,160 | 5.8 |
| 1988 | 45,942,966 | 905 | 2.0 | 25,004,445 | 487 | 1.9 | 62,784,739 | 1,703 | 2.7 | 69,852,055 | 1,773 | 2.5 | 20,612,351 | 632 | 3.1 | 20,302,280 | 1,271 | 6.3 |
| 1989 | 46,690,604 | 786 | 1.7 | 24,664,300 | 421 | 1.7 | 62,494,056 | 1,648 | 2.6 | 71,581,353 | 1,839 | 2.6 | 20,669,409 | 603 | 2.9 | 20,719,397 | 1,180 | 5.7 |
| 1990 | 47,472,527 | 768 | 1.6 | 24,404,795 | 423 | 1.7 | 62,282,683 | 1,584 | 2.5 | 73,444,237 | 1,804 | 2.5 | 20,695,871 | 631 | 3.0 | 21,164,283 | 1,195 | 5.6 |
| 1991 | 48,240,747 | 695 | 1.4 | 24,066,587 | 437 | 1.8 | 62,025,750 | 1,444 | 2.3 | 75,460,332 | 1,615 | 2.1 | 20,607,779 | 502 | 2.4 | 21,751,897 | 1,044 | 4.8 |
| 1992 | 48,903,668 | 635 | 1.3 | 24,163,175 | 376 | 1.6 | 61,427,100 | 1,278 | 2.1 | 77,802,376 | 1,704 | 2.2 | 20,412,163 | 505 | 2.5 | 22,321,217 | 997 | 4.5 |
| 1993 | 49,335,864 | 644 | 1.3 | 24,664,091 | 402 | 1.6 | 60,582,332 | 1,294 | 2.1 | 80,150,573 | 1,702 | 2.1 | 20,249,075 | 506 | 2.5 | 22,800,673 | 1,012 | 4.4 |
| 1994 | 49,692,462 | 659 | 1.3 | 25,219,838 | 355 | 1.4 | 59,629,351 | 1,190 | 2.0 | 82,498,005 | 1,756 | 2.1 | 20,043,520 | 463 | 2.3 | 23,243,845 | 1,021 | 4.4 |
| 1995 | 49,920,484 | 597 | 1.2 | 25,764,300 | 389 | 1.5 | 58,712,407 | 1,192 | 2.0 | 84,740,716 | 1,847 | 2.2 | 19,971,612 | 504 | 2.5 | 23,693,757 | 1,008 | 4.3 |
| 1996 | 50,085,188 | 570 | 1.1 | 26,357,198 | 362 | 1.4 | 57,753,910 | 1,132 | 2.0 | 87,078,329 | 1,879 | 2.2 | 19,897,624 | 498 | 2.5 | 24,056,323 | 951 | 4.0 |
| 1997 | 50,364,983 | 513 | 1.0 | 26,730,812 | 371 | 1.4 | 57,046,569 | 1,083 | 1.9 | 89,395,083 | 1,877 | 2.1 | 19,837,343 | 497 | 2.5 | 24,408,817 | 931 | 3.8 |
| 1998 | 50,527,476 | 464 | 0.9 | 27,174,728 | 351 | 1.3 | 56,421,053 | 999 | 1.8 | 91,476,094 | 1,945 | 2.1 | 19,855,101 | 455 | 2.3 | 24,793,551 | 965 | 3.9 |
| 1999 | 50,667,139 | 449 | 0.9 | 27,518,156 | 333 | 1.2 | 55,961,401 | 920 | 1.6 | 93,490,306 | 1,884 | 2.0 | 19,961,006 | 425 | 2.1 | 25,092,805 | 885 | 3.5 |
| 2000 | 52,219,423 | 403 | 0.8 | 28,326,412 | 337 | 1.2 | 58,971,709 | 890 | 1.5 | 96,740,434 | 1,883 | 1.9 | 20,374,305 | 396 | 1.9 | 25,559,879 | 807 | 3.2 |
| 2001 | 52,341,395 | 363 | 0.7 | 28,437,711 | 346 | 1.2 | 59,465,066 | 911 | 1.5 | 98,425,536 | 1,970 | 2.0 | 20,634,900 | 387 | 1.9 | 25,797,467 | 878 | 3.4 |
| 2002 | 52,332,306 | 317 | 0.6 | 28,644,313 | 353 | 1.2 | 60,046,068 | 901 | 1.5 | 99,833,172 | 1,929 | 1.9 | 21,080,035 | 461 | 2.2 | 26,005,326 | 845 | 3.2 |
| 2003 | 52,187,602 | 327 | 0.6 | 29,028,500 | 348 | 1.2 | 60,599,350 | 899 | 1.5 | 100,920,120 | 1,942 | 1.9 | 21,852,458 | 447 | 2.0 | 26,200,946 | 777 | 3.0 |
| 2004 | 52,151,406 | 293 | 0.6 | 29,400,392 | 305 | 1.0 | 61,003,240 | 945 | 1.5 | 102,216,958 | 1,907 | 1.9 | 22,545,890 | 421 | 1.9 | 26,337,518 | 763 | 2.9 |
| 2005 | 52,149,395 | 274 | 0.5 | 29,589,854 | 325 | 1.1 | 61,180,772 | 980 | 1.6 | 103,698,407 | 2,055 | 2.0 | 23,133,307 | 433 | 1.9 | 26,658,669 | 777 | 2.9 |
| 2006 | 52,306,908 | 267 | 0.5 | 29,772,198 | 314 | 1.1 | 61,527,219 | 973 | 1.6 | 105,169,569 | 2,025 | 1.9 | 23,737,792 | 467 | 2.0 | 26,884,798 | 707 | 2.6 |
| 2007 | 52,585,809 | 245 | 0.5 | 29,775,943 | 342 | 1.1 | 61,623,322 | 956 | 1.6 | 105,272,308 | 1,976 | 1.9 | 25,228,258 | 370 | 1.5 | 27,135,517 | 721 | 2.7 |
The rate of pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people in 2007 was 88 percent higher for people 70 and older than for those younger than 70. Since 1975, the rate of pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people has decreased 53 percent for people younger than 70 and 71 percent for those 70 and older.
| Pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people by age, 1975-2007 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | <70 | ≥ 70 | Total* | ||||||
| Population | Num | Rate | Population | Num | Rate | Population | Num | Rate | |
| 1975 | 201,409,254 | 6,084 | 3.0 | 14,563,945 | 1,348 | 9.3 | 215,973,199 | 7,516 | 3.5 |
| 1976 | 203,075,044 | 6,055 | 3.0 | 14,960,120 | 1,291 | 8.6 | 218,035,164 | 7,427 | 3.4 |
| 1977 | 204,838,176 | 6,217 | 3.0 | 15,401,249 | 1,383 | 9.0 | 220,239,425 | 7,732 | 3.5 |
| 1978 | 206,708,004 | 6,447 | 3.1 | 15,876,541 | 1,214 | 7.6 | 222,584,545 | 7,795 | 3.5 |
| 1979 | 208,666,870 | 6,651 | 3.2 | 16,388,617 | 1,277 | 7.8 | 225,055,487 | 8,096 | 3.6 |
| 1980 | 210,326,742 | 6,550 | 3.1 | 16,897,977 | 1,344 | 8.0 | 227,224,719 | 8,070 | 3.6 |
| 1981 | 212,142,894 | 6,318 | 3.0 | 17,322,714 | 1,278 | 7.4 | 229,465,608 | 7,837 | 3.4 |
| 1982 | 213,880,608 | 6,072 | 2.8 | 17,783,888 | 1,124 | 6.3 | 231,664,496 | 7,331 | 3.2 |
| 1983 | 215,558,152 | 5,641 | 2.6 | 18,233,751 | 1,081 | 5.9 | 233,791,903 | 6,826 | 2.9 |
| 1984 | 217,161,845 | 5,730 | 2.6 | 18,662,938 | 1,164 | 6.2 | 235,824,783 | 7,025 | 3.0 |
| 1985 | 218,850,947 | 5,510 | 2.5 | 19,072,785 | 1,170 | 6.1 | 237,923,732 | 6,808 | 2.9 |
| 1986 | 220,669,361 | 5,502 | 2.5 | 19,463,480 | 1,157 | 5.9 | 240,132,841 | 6,779 | 2.8 |
| 1987 | 222,398,206 | 5,507 | 2.5 | 19,890,817 | 1,160 | 5.8 | 242,289,023 | 6,745 | 2.8 |
| 1988 | 224,196,556 | 5,500 | 2.5 | 20,302,280 | 1,271 | 6.3 | 244,498,836 | 6,870 | 2.8 |
| 1989 | 226,099,722 | 5,297 | 2.3 | 20,719,397 | 1,180 | 5.7 | 246,819,119 | 6,556 | 2.7 |
| 1990 | 228,300,113 | 5,210 | 2.3 | 21,164,283 | 1,195 | 5.6 | 249,464,396 | 6,482 | 2.6 |
| 1991 | 230,401,195 | 4,693 | 2.0 | 21,751,897 | 1,044 | 4.8 | 252,153,092 | 5,801 | 2.3 |
| 1992 | 232,708,482 | 4,498 | 1.9 | 22,321,217 | 997 | 4.5 | 255,029,699 | 5,549 | 2.2 |
| 1993 | 234,981,935 | 4,548 | 1.9 | 22,800,673 | 1,012 | 4.4 | 257,782,608 | 5,649 | 2.2 |
| 1994 | 237,083,176 | 4,423 | 1.9 | 23,243,845 | 1,021 | 4.4 | 260,327,021 | 5,489 | 2.1 |
| 1995 | 239,109,519 | 4,529 | 1.9 | 23,693,757 | 1,008 | 4.3 | 262,803,276 | 5,584 | 2.1 |
| 1996 | 241,172,249 | 4,441 | 1.8 | 24,056,323 | 951 | 4.0 | 265,228,572 | 5,449 | 2.1 |
| 1997 | 243,374,790 | 4,341 | 1.8 | 24,408,817 | 931 | 3.8 | 267,783,607 | 5,321 | 2.0 |
| 1998 | 245,454,452 | 4,214 | 1.7 | 24,793,551 | 965 | 3.9 | 270,248,003 | 5,228 | 1.9 |
| 1999 | 247,598,008 | 4,011 | 1.6 | 25,092,805 | 885 | 3.5 | 272,690,813 | 4,939 | 1.8 |
| 2000 | 256,632,283 | 3,909 | 1.5 | 25,559,879 | 807 | 3.2 | 282,192,162 | 4,763 | 1.7 |
| 2001 | 259,304,608 | 3,977 | 1.5 | 25,797,467 | 878 | 3.4 | 285,102,075 | 4,901 | 1.7 |
| 2002 | 261,935,894 | 3,961 | 1.5 | 26,005,326 | 845 | 3.2 | 287,941,220 | 4,851 | 1.7 |
| 2003 | 264,588,030 | 3,963 | 1.5 | 26,200,946 | 777 | 3.0 | 290,788,976 | 4,774 | 1.6 |
| 2004 | 267,317,886 | 3,871 | 1.4 | 26,337,518 | 763 | 2.9 | 293,655,404 | 4,675 | 1.6 |
| 2005 | 269,751,735 | 4,067 | 1.5 | 26,658,669 | 777 | 2.9 | 296,410,404 | 4,892 | 1.7 |
| 2006 | 272,513,686 | 4,046 | 1.5 | 26,884,798 | 707 | 2.6 | 299,398,484 | 4,795 | 1.6 |
| 2007 | 274,485,640 | 3,889 | 1.4 | 27,135,517 | 721 | 2.7 | 301,621,157 | 4,654 | 1.5 |
| *Total includes other and/or unknowns | |||||||||
Seventy percent of pedestrians killed in 2007 were males, a proportion that has varied little since 1975.
| Pedestrian deaths by gender, 1975-2007 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Male | Female | Total* | ||
| Num | % | Num | % | Num | |
| 1975 | 5,196 | 69 | 2,319 | 31 | 7,516 |
| 1976 | 5,120 | 69 | 2,307 | 31 | 7,427 |
| 1977 | 5,331 | 69 | 2,400 | 31 | 7,732 |
| 1978 | 5,494 | 70 | 2,296 | 29 | 7,795 |
| 1979 | 5,701 | 70 | 2,391 | 30 | 8,096 |
| 1980 | 5,613 | 70 | 2,454 | 30 | 8,070 |
| 1981 | 5,459 | 70 | 2,332 | 30 | 7,837 |
| 1982 | 5,144 | 70 | 2,185 | 30 | 7,331 |
| 1983 | 4,775 | 70 | 2,050 | 30 | 6,826 |
| 1984 | 5,016 | 71 | 2,005 | 29 | 7,025 |
| 1985 | 4,671 | 69 | 2,133 | 31 | 6,808 |
| 1986 | 4,771 | 70 | 2,004 | 30 | 6,779 |
| 1987 | 4,777 | 71 | 1,967 | 29 | 6,745 |
| 1988 | 4,756 | 69 | 2,111 | 31 | 6,870 |
| 1989 | 4,594 | 70 | 1,959 | 30 | 6,556 |
| 1990 | 4,495 | 69 | 1,985 | 31 | 6,482 |
| 1991 | 3,985 | 69 | 1,815 | 31 | 5,801 |
| 1992 | 3,867 | 70 | 1,679 | 30 | 5,549 |
| 1993 | 3,936 | 70 | 1,711 | 30 | 5,649 |
| 1994 | 3,757 | 68 | 1,732 | 32 | 5,489 |
| 1995 | 3,856 | 69 | 1,728 | 31 | 5,584 |
| 1996 | 3,780 | 69 | 1,667 | 31 | 5,449 |
| 1997 | 3,643 | 68 | 1,677 | 32 | 5,321 |
| 1998 | 3,558 | 68 | 1,670 | 32 | 5,228 |
| 1999 | 3,466 | 70 | 1,472 | 30 | 4,939 |
| 2000 | 3,251 | 68 | 1,512 | 32 | 4,763 |
| 2001 | 3,421 | 70 | 1,479 | 30 | 4,901 |
| 2002 | 3,298 | 68 | 1,552 | 32 | 4,851 |
| 2003 | 3,274 | 69 | 1,499 | 31 | 4,774 |
| 2004 | 3,237 | 69 | 1,435 | 31 | 4,675 |
| 2005 | 3,450 | 71 | 1,441 | 29 | 4,892 |
| 2006 | 3,332 | 69 | 1,459 | 30 | 4,795 |
| 2007 | 3,259 | 70 | 1,395 | 30 | 4,654 |
| *Total includes other and/or unknowns | |||||
Alcohol
Fifty-four percent of pedestrians 16 and older killed in nighttime (9pm - 6am) crashes in 2007 had blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) at or above 0.08 percent, compared to 24 percent during the day (6am - 9pm).
| Estimated number and percent of fatally injured pedestrians age 16 and older with BACs ≥ 0.08 percent by time of day, 1982-2007 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Nighttime (9pm-6am) | Daytime (6am-9pm) | ||||
| Pedestrians killed | Estimated pedestrians killed with BACs ≥ 0.08 | Pedestrians killed | Estimated pedestrians killed with BACs ≥ 0.08 | |||
| Num | Num | % | Num | Num | % | |
| 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 | 1,906 | 1,026 | 54 | 2,319 | 548 | 24 |
Where they died`
Seventy-two percent of pedestrian deaths in 2007 occurred in urban areas, up from 59 percent in 1975.
| Pedestrian deaths by land use, 2007 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Urban | Rural | Total* | ||
| Num | % | Num | % | Num | |
| 1975 | 4,401 | 59 | 3,115 | 41 | 7,516 |
| 1976 | 4,409 | 59 | 3,013 | 41 | 7,427 |
| 1977 | 4,997 | 65 | 2,711 | 35 | 7,732 |
| 1978 | 4,934 | 63 | 2,748 | 35 | 7,795 |
| 1979 | 5,309 | 66 | 2,688 | 33 | 8,096 |
| 1980 | 5,279 | 65 | 2,698 | 33 | 8,070 |
| 1981 | 5,066 | 65 | 2,614 | 33 | 7,837 |
| 1982 | 4,809 | 66 | 2,455 | 33 | 7,331 |
| 1983 | 4,477 | 66 | 2,341 | 34 | 6,826 |
| 1984 | 4,660 | 66 | 2,360 | 34 | 7,025 |
| 1985 | 4,586 | 67 | 2,215 | 33 | 6,808 |
| 1986 | 4,580 | 68 | 2,197 | 32 | 6,779 |
| 1987 | 4,631 | 69 | 2,105 | 31 | 6,745 |
| 1988 | 4,650 | 68 | 2,216 | 32 | 6,870 |
| 1989 | 4,620 | 70 | 1,931 | 29 | 6,556 |
| 1990 | 4,619 | 71 | 1,855 | 29 | 6,482 |
| 1991 | 4,053 | 70 | 1,738 | 30 | 5,801 |
| 1992 | 3,923 | 71 | 1,597 | 29 | 5,549 |
| 1993 | 3,949 | 70 | 1,663 | 29 | 5,649 |
| 1994 | 3,934 | 72 | 1,543 | 28 | 5,489 |
| 1995 | 3,914 | 70 | 1,644 | 29 | 5,584 |
| 1996 | 3,838 | 70 | 1,596 | 29 | 5,449 |
| 1997 | 3,699 | 70 | 1,611 | 30 | 5,321 |
| 1998 | 3,584 | 69 | 1,611 | 31 | 5,228 |
| 1999 | 3,400 | 69 | 1,519 | 31 | 4,939 |
| 2000 | 3,298 | 69 | 1,376 | 29 | 4,763 |
| 2001 | 3,437 | 70 | 1,452 | 30 | 4,901 |
| 2002 | 3,421 | 71 | 1,418 | 29 | 4,851 |
| 2003 | 3,479 | 73 | 1,283 | 27 | 4,774 |
| 2004 | 3,393 | 73 | 1,274 | 27 | 4,675 |
| 2005 | 3,618 | 74 | 1,245 | 25 | 4,892 |
| 2006 | 3,521 | 73 | 1,234 | 26 | 4,795 |
| 2007 | 3,352 | 72 | 1,217 | 26 | 4,654 |
| *Total includes other and/or unknowns | |||||
Thirty-nine percent of pedestrian deaths among people 60 and older in 2007 occurred at intersections, compared with 20 percent for those younger than 60.
| Pedestrian deaths by junction type and age, 2007 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junction type | <13 | 13-19 | 20-34 | 35-59 | 60-69 | ≥ 70 | Total* | |||||||
| Num | % | Num | % | Num | % | Num | % | Num | % | Num | % | Num | % | |
| Non-intersection | 200 | 82 | 273 | 80 | 803 | 84 | 1,543 | 78 | 238 | 64 | 431 | 60 | 3,523 | 76 |
| Intersection | 45 | 18 | 69 | 20 | 153 | 16 | 433 | 22 | 132 | 36 | 290 | 40 | 1,131 | 24 |
| Total* | 245 | 100 | 342 | 100 | 956 | 100 | 1,976 | 100 | 370 | 100 | 721 | 100 | 4,654 | 100 |
| *Total includes other and/or unknowns | ||||||||||||||
Seventy-one percent of pedestrian deaths in 2007 occurred on major roads, including interstates and freeways.
| Pedestrian deaths by road type, 2007 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Road type | Num | % |
| Interstates and freeways | 752 | 16 |
| Other major roads | 2,553 | 55 |
| Minor roads | 1,252 | 27 |
| All road types* | 4,654 | 100 |
| *Total includes other and/or unknowns | ||
In urban areas, 55 percent of pedestrian deaths in 2007 occurred on roads with speed limits of 40 mph or less; in rural areas 20 percent of deaths occurred on such roads.
| Pedestrian deaths by speed limit and land use, 2007 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speed limit | Urban | Rural | Total* | |||
| Num | % | Num | % | Num | % | |
| No limit | 11 | <1 | 3 | <1 | 15 | <1 |
| <35 mph | 801 | 24 | 89 | 7 | 909 | 20 |
| 35-40 mph | 1,034 | 31 | 160 | 13 | 1,206 | 26 |
| 45-50 mph | 672 | 20 | 231 | 19 | 925 | 20 |
| 55+ mph | 592 | 18 | 681 | 56 | 1,294 | 28 |
| Unknown | 242 | 7 | 53 | 4 | 305 | 7 |
| Total* | 3,352 | 100 | 1,217 | 100 | 4,654 | 100 |
| *Total includes other and/or unknowns | ||||||
When they died
Forty-four percent of pedestrian deaths in 2007 occurred in crashes between 6 pm and midnight.
| Pedestrian deaths by time of day, 2007 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Time of day | Deaths | % |
| Midnight-3am | 591 | 13 |
| 3am-6am | 440 | 9 |
| 6am-9am | 422 | 9 |
| 9am-noon | 256 | 6 |
| Noon-3pm | 347 | 7 |
| 3pm-6pm | 515 | 11 |
| 6pm-9pm | 1,096 | 24 |
| 9pm-midnight | 960 | 21 |
| Total* | 4,654 | 100 |
| *Total includes other and/or unknowns | ||
The largest proportion of pedestrian deaths in 2007 occurred on Saturday (17 percent), followed by Friday (16 percent) and Sunday (15 percent).
| Pedestrian deaths by day of week, 2007 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day of week | Deaths | % |
| Sunday | 705 | 15 |
| Monday | 630 | 14 |
| Tuesday | 568 | 12 |
| Wednesday | 643 | 14 |
| Thursday | 581 | 12 |
| Friday | 723 | 16 |
| Saturday | 804 | 17 |
| Total* | 4,654 | 100 |
| *Total includes other and/or unknowns | ||