European Paint & Body II

Pedestrian Deaths Up 11% and Climbing

Pedestrian deaths are becoming more and more commonplace and last year that number hit a whopping 6,000 total. It is the highest total in more than 20 years, according the Governors Highway Safety Association, which represents state highway safety offices.

At European Paint & Body II, we are alarmed by this news, so we decided to share it with our customers in West Palm Beach and all over the State of FL. Everyone in the country should also be concerned by this increase in pedestrian fatalities and by slowing down and not texting while driving they can help us all.

More people are driving now because the economy, reduced gas prices and more walking for environmental and recreational reasons are some of the likely reasons behind the estimated 11 percent increase in pedestrian fatalities in 2016. Researchers claim that a significant factor for pedestrian deaths may be more about drivers and walkers being distracted by cell phones and other personal electronic  devices, although that data isn't definitive.

This report is based on data gleaned from all 50 states and illustrates the largest annual spike in both the number and percentage of pedestrian fatalities more than 40 years. Pedestrian fatalities as a share of total motor vehicle collision deaths increased from 11 percent in 2006 to 15 percent in 2015.

Another major reason for pedestrian fatalities is alcohol consumption and drunkenness on the part of both walkers and drivers. Thirty-four percent of all pedestrians and 15 percent of all drivers involved in grave accidents were intoxicated at the time, according to data provided by National Safety Council. The information is perplexing in some ways, because there is no indication that there have been any significant changes in peoples' drinking habits that would account for the increase in deaths.

If you're a pedestrian in densely populated states including Delaware, Florida and Arizona, be especially careful, because they had the highest rates of pedestrian fatalities in direct relation to their populations. Reversely, if you are a pedestrian in North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming, you're safer than in the rest of the country.

If pedestrians pay more attention and don't text while walking while drivers slow down and don't drive drunk, these numbers can go down quickly. With so many people walking, jogging and running all the time in big cities and small towns, both parties will need to be more careful to get this number down.

Sources: Governors Highway Safety Association, National Safety Council, CNN