Take Two translates the day’s headlines for Southern California, making sense of the news and cultural events that affect our lives. Produced by Southern California Public Radio and broadcast from October 2012 – June 2021. Hosted by A Martinez.
Seat belts, multiple airbags, anti-lock brakes. They've all helped decrease traffic fatalities for drivers and passengers. But those safety features don't protect pedestrians.
Here in Los Angeles, fully one-third of all traffic fatalities involve someone who is on foot. Still, you are less likely to be killed while walking in LA than in some other large cities.
| City | Total Fatalities | Pedestrian Fatalities | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 293 | 178 | 60.80% |
| San Francisco | 33 | 18 | 55.40% |
| Washington, DC | 20 | 9 | 45% |
| San Diego | 82 | 30 | 36.60% |
| Los Angeles | 227 | 76 | 33.5 |
In 2013, more than 4700 people died in the U.S. after being struck by vehicles while walking. The National Highway Safety Administration estimates another 66,000 Americans were injured after being hit by a car. Although the number of overall traffic fatalities is declining, the percentage of pedestrian deaths is increasing.
But why? There are a variety of factors that might be contributing to the on-foot carnage.
More folks on foot: In many urban areas, pedestrian traffic has increased. Many cities are still grappling with ways to safely move both cars and people on streets that were, not so long ago, dominated by wheeled vehicles.
Digital devices: We've heard a lot about distracted driving, but there is evidence that smart phone use can be dangerous for people who are walking, too. A study at Ohio State found injuries soaring for pedestrians who were talking, texting and otherwise distracted by their digital devices.
WUI–Walking Under the Influence: Half of all pedestrians killed while walking at night were legally drunk. That's according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Among the other facts about pedestrian fatalities, men are more likely to be struck and killed by a car. Seven out of every ten of fatalities in 2013 were males. The most dangerous times, and no surprise here, Friday and Saturday nights.
Child pedestrian deaths have fallen dramatically - over 40% since 1995. But being hit by a car remains the second most common injury-related death among kids.
The Centers for Disease Control has three simple tips for avoiding a collision with an automobile while walking: