Report: Arizona Second Deadliest State for Pedestrians

March 6, 2019

Pedestrians do not have the same protection as those in a motor vehicle when involved in an accident. Vehicle versus pedestrian collisions often result in severe or deadly injuries for the pedestrian.

According to a new report released by the Governors Highway Safety Association, pedestrian deaths have increased by 35 percent in the last decade. The report estimates that more than 6,200 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2018. This is a four percent increase from the previous year, making it the highest number of pedestrian fatalities in the country since 1990.

Arizona has also been ranked the second deadliest state for pedestrians per capita. The state’s pedestrian fatality rate was 1.74 per 100,000 population in 2018.

The report offers a firsthand look at state and national trends in 2018 pedestrian fatalities based on preliminary data provided by State Highway Safety Offices in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In addition to the number of pedestrian fatalities, the report examines several reasons for the increase in pedestrian deaths as well as comprehensive strategies to reduce pedestrian and motor vehicle crashes.

Latest Findings on Pedestrian Accidents

The latest findings compare pedestrian traffic fatalities between January and June of 2018 to the same period during 2017. The following statistics detail pedestrian-related accidents across Arizona:

• 125 pedestrians were killed by motorists in the state during the first half of 2018 compared to 112 pedestrian deaths in the first half of 2017, resulting in an increase of 13 fatalities.
• Arizona has the fifth-highest number of pedestrian fatalities in 2018 out of all 50 states.
• Arizona is among seven states projected to have over 100 pedestrian deaths for the report period. The previous year, only five states had pedestrian fatality counts over 100.
• Arizona is also among five states that account for nearly half of all pedestrian deaths.

Recent Pedestrian-Related Crashes

The city of Phoenix has seen an increase in pedestrian-related accidents within the last month:

• A 25-year-old pedestrian was killed and three other pedestrians were injured in an accident near 7th Avenue and Camelback Road. The accident occurred around 2:30 a.m. and the driver fled the scene.
• A 37-year-old pedestrian was killed in an accident at the intersection of 27th Avenue and McDowell Road at approximately 3 a.m. Police do not believe impairment was a factor in this fatal accident.
• An 18-year-old pedestrian was killed at approximately 4 a.m. in an accident at the intersection of Butler Drive and Seventh Street. Police do not believe speed or impairment were factors in the fatality.

How Arizona is Addressing Pedestrian Safety

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has published a Pedestrian Safety Action Plandiscussing measures that the department will take to improve pedestrian safety throughout the state. These objectives include:

• Widening roadway shoulders in both rural and suburban areas with no sidewalks where there is a history of crashes involving pedestrians walking along the road. The report recommends a shoulder width of four to five feet to add more separation between pedestrians and motorists.
• Adding roadway and intersection lighting in areas where a large number of nighttime pedestrian accidents have occurred and in areas where pedestrians are likely to be after dark.
• Improving traffic signals across the state. Timing operations and signal phasing are to be evaluated to determine if any pedestrian safety issues exist.
• Installation of crossing treatments to enhance pedestrian crossings, such as:
  • In-roadway gateway signs
  • Two-stage crosswalks
  • Pedestrian hybrid beacons

  • Rapid flashing beacons
  • Traffic signals
• Installation of sidewalks in developed areas where no continuous sidewalk systems exist or where current sidewalks are not continuous. Non-continuous sidewalks have the potential for pedestrians crossing in the middle of a block rather than at a crossing signal. No sidewalks increases the likelihood of pedestrians walking in the street.

Contact an Attorney for Legal Help Now

If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys in our Phoenix office will fight to secure the maximum compensation you deserve.

Request a free, no obligation consultation today so we can review your claim and discuss your legal options. We charge no upfront fees and you only pay us if we recover compensation for you.

Call 1-800-706-3000 or complete ourFree Case Evaluation formnow.