Pedestrian deaths drop in California amid record national increase

The streets in the United States are getting more dangerous for pedestrians, according to a new report released Thursday by the Governors Highways Safety Association. The picture in California, though, is mixed.

The report, based on statistics from the first six months of 2015, projects that the number of pedestrian traffic deaths in the U.S. jumped 11 percent in 2016, the biggest annual increase in the 40 years the data has been collected.

In California the news looks better, with an 11 percent drop in deaths over the first six months of last year.

"I would say, 'Be encouraged that you're making some progress, but not enough progress," said Kara Macek, spokeswoman for the Governors Highway Safety Association.

She stressed the numbers are only preliminary and are sometimes adjusted up once states have completed entering reports. Because California has the highest raw numbers of crashes due to its large population, final statistics can take longer to confirm as agencies work to tally reports.

California has among the highest rates of per capita pedestrian deaths in the nation and pedestrians here account for a higher share of traffic fatalities - nearly 25 percent compared to a national average of 15 percent.

The report points to smartphone distraction as a major factor driving the increase in deaths nationwide. The improving economy has also resulted in more driving, which increases the likelihood of crashes.

The authors cite recent efforts by many cities to improve walkability and encourage more active forms of transportation as a reason more pedestrians may be exposed to dangerous conditions.

"We want to encourage people walking," said Macek. "The problem is I think that our built environment hasn't caught up. We really built ourselves into a country that places an emphasis on getting around via car."

The majority of fatal pedestrian crashes occurred at night and outside intersections.