A pedestrian is defined as any person not in or upon a motor vehicle or other vehicle.
In 2005, 4,881 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States — a decrease of 13 percent from the 5,584 pedestrians killed in 1995.
| “In 2005, 4,881 pedestrians died in traffic crashes — a 13-percent decrease from the number reported in 1995.” |
On average, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash every 108 minutes and injured in a traffic crash every 8 minutes.
There were 64,000 pedestrians injured in traffic crashes in 2005.
Most pedestrian fatalities in 2005 occurred in urban areas (74%), at non-intersection locations (80%), in normal weather conditions (89%), and at night (67%).
More than two-thirds (70%) of the pedestrians killed in 2005 were males. In 2005, the male pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 population was 2.35 — more than triple the rate for females (0.96 per 100,000 population). In 2005, the male pedestrian injury rate per 100,000 population was 26, compared with 17 for females (see Table 5).
Figure 1
Total Pedestrian Fatalities by Year 1995-2005
Age
| “In 2005, nearly one-fifth of the children between the ages of 5 and 9 killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians.” |
Pedestrians (age 70+) accounted for 16 percent (770) of all pedestrian fatalities and an estimated 5 percent (3,000) of all pedestrians injured in 2005.
“In 2005, the fatality rate for pedestrians (age 70+) was 2.88 per 100,000 population – higher than for any other age group.”
In 2005, nearly one-fifth (18%) of all children between the ages of 5 and 9 who were killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians. Children age 15 and younger accounted for 8 percent of the pedestrian fatalities in 2005 and 28 percent of all pedestrians injured in traffic crashes.
Table 1
Pedestrians Killed and Injured by Age Group, 2005
Age Group (Years) |
Total Killed |
Pedestrians Killed |
Percentage of Total Killed |
| 590 |
113 |
19 |
| 585 |
108 |
18 |
| 1,173 |
167 |
14 |
| 5,699 |
281 |
5 |
| 4,622 |
296 |
6 |
| 3,852 |
294 |
8 |
| 3,232 |
319 |
10 |
| 3,127 |
343 |
11 |
| 3,443 |
461 |
13 |
| 3,295 |
473 |
14 |
| 2,872 |
428 |
15 |
| 2,371 |
334 |
14 |
| 1,813 |
221 |
12 |
| 1,480 |
211 |
14 |
| 1,336 |
195 |
15 |
| 1,410 |
221 |
16 |
| 2,286 |
354 |
15 |
| 257 |
62 |
24 |
Total |
43,443 |
4,881 |
11 |
Age Group (Years) |
Total Injured |
Pedestrians Injured |
Percentage of Total Injured |
| 56,000 |
3,000 |
5 |
| 74,000 |
7,000 |
10 |
| 141,000 |
8,000 |
6 |
| 432,000 |
7,000 |
2 |
| 297,000 |
6,000 |
2 |
| 267,000 |
3,000 |
1 |
| 227,000 |
4,000 |
2 |
| 208,000 |
3,000 |
1 |
| 218,000 |
5,000 |
2 |
| 203,000 |
4,000 |
2 |
| 165,000 |
4,000 |
3 |
| 130,000 |
3,000 |
3 |
| 90,000 |
2,000 |
2 |
| 56,000 |
2,000 |
3 |
| 49,000 |
1,000 |
3 |
| 38,000 |
1,000 |
4 |
| 48,000 |
1,000 |
2 |
Total |
2,699,000 |
64,000 |
2 |
The above numbers are not actual counts, but estimates of the actual counts. The estimates are calculated from data obtained from a nationally representative sample of crashes collected through NHTSA’s General Estimates System (GES). Estimates should be rounded to the nearest 1,000.
Estimates less than 500 indicate that the sample size was too small to produce a meaningful estimate and should be rounded to 0. |
Table 2
Nonoccupant Traffic Fatalities, 1995-2005
Year |
Pedestrian |
Pedalcyclist |
Other |
Total |
| 5,584 |
833 |
109 |
6,526 |
| 5,449 |
765 |
154 |
6,368 |
| 5,321 |
814 |
153 |
6,288 |
| 5,228 |
760 |
131 |
6,119 |
| 4,939 |
754 |
149 |
5,842 |
| 4,763 |
693 |
141 |
5,597 |
| 4,901 |
732 |
123 |
5,756 |
| 4,851 |
665 |
114 |
5,630 |
| 4,774 |
629 |
140 |
5,543 |
| 4,675 |
727 |
130 |
5,532 |
|
2005 |
4,881 |
784 |
184 |
5,849 |
| “Forty-three percent of all young (under age 16) pedestrian fatalities occurred between 3 and 7 p.m.” |
Pedestrian fatalities accounted for 83 percent of all nonoccupant fatalities in 2005. The 784 pedalcyclist fatalities accounted for 13 percent, and the remaining 3 percent were skateboard riders, roller skaters, etc.
Time of Day and Day of Week
Forty-three percent of the 388 young (under age 16) pedestrian fatalities occurred in crashes between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Nearly one-half (48%) of all pedestrian fatalities occurred on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday: 16.6 percent, 18.3 percent, and 13.5 percent, respectively.
Figure 2
Pedestrian Fatalities by Time of Day and Day of Week, 2005
Alcohol Involvement
| “Alcohol involvement — either for the driver or for the pedestrian — was reported in 44 percent of all pedestrian fatalities.” |
Alcohol involvement — either for the driver or for the pedestrian — was reported in 44 percent of the traffic crashes that resulted in pedestrian fatalities. Of the pedestrians involved, 32 percent had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher. Of the drivers involved in fatal crashes, only 11 percent had a BAC of .08 g/dL or higher, less than one-half the rate for the pedestrians. In 5 percent of the crashes, both the driver and the pedestrian had a BAC of .08 g/dL or higher.
Table 3
Alcohol Involvement in Fatal Pedestrian Crashes, 2005
| |
No Driver Alcohol Involvement |
Driver Alcohol Involvement,
BAC .01-.07 g/dL |
Driver Alcohol Involvement, BAC .08 g/dL or Greater |
Total |
| No Pedestrian Alcohol Involvement |
56% |
1% |
6% |
3067 64% |
Pedestrian Alcohol Involvement,
BAC .01-.07 g/dL |
3% |
0% |
1% |
194 4% |
Pedestrian Alcohol Involvement,
BAC .08 g/dL or Greater |
26% |
1% |
5% |
1,552 32% |
| Total |
4131 86% |
148 3% |
534 11% |
4,813 100% |
| Note: The alcohol levels in this table are determined using the alcohol levels of the involved pedestrian fatalities and all the involved drivers (fatality and other) |
Table 4
Alcohol Involvement for Pedestrians Killed in Fatal Crashes by Age, 1995 and 2005
Age (Years) |
1995 |
2005 |
Number of Fatalities |
% with BAC .00 g/dL |
% with .01 = BAC = .07 g/dL |
% with BAC .08 g/dL or Greater |
Number of Fatalities |
% with BAC .00 g/dL |
% with .01 = BAC = .07 g/dL |
% with BAC .08 g/dL or Greater |
| 16-20 |
296 |
68 |
4 |
28 |
281 |
69 |
4 |
27 |
| 21-24 |
292 |
44 |
6 |
50 |
296 |
50 |
4 |
46 |
| 25-34 |
836 |
40 |
6 |
54 |
613 |
46 |
6 |
48 |
| 35-44 |
954 |
41 |
6 |
53 |
804 |
44 |
6 |
50 |
| 45-54 |
664 |
50 |
4 |
46 |
901 |
53 |
4 |
43 |
| 55-64 |
478 |
63 |
4 |
33 |
555 |
69 |
5 |
26 |
| 65-74 |
529 |
76 |
4 |
20 |
406 |
84 |
3 |
14 |
| 75-84 |
495 |
91 |
3 |
6 |
423 |
93 |
1 |
6 |
| 85 + |
239 |
93 |
2 |
5 |
152 |
96 |
1 |
3 |
| Total* |
4,783 |
58 |
5 |
37 |
4,431 |
61 |
4 |
34 |
| *Excludes pedestrians under 16 years old and pedestrians of unknown age. |
Important Safety Reminders
Safety Tips for the Pedestrian Fact Sheet:
- Drivers are required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing streets in marked or unmarked crosswalks in most situations. They need to be especially careful at intersections where the failure to yield right-of-way often occurs when drivers are turning onto another street and a pedestrian is in their path.
- When possible, cross the street at a designated cross-walk. Always stop and look left, right, and left again before crossing. If a parked vehicle is blocking the view of the street, stop at the edge line of the vehicle and look around it before entering the street.
- Increase visibility at night by carrying a flashlight when walking and by wearing retro-reflective clothing that helps to highlight body movements.
- It is much safer to walk on a sidewalk, but if you must walk in the street, walk facing traffic.
|
Table 5
Pedestrians Killed and Injured and Fatality and Injury Rates by Age and Sex, 2005
Age (Years) |
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
Killed |
Population (thousands) |
Fatality Rate* |
Killed |
Population (thousands) |
Fatality Rate* |
Killed |
Population (thousands) |
Fatality Rate* |
| <5 |
73 |
10,381 |
0.7 |
40 |
9,922 |
0.4 |
113 |
20,304 |
0.56 |
| 5-9 |
61 |
9,993 |
0.61 |
47 |
9,545 |
0.49 |
108 |
19,539 |
0.55 |
| 10-15 |
99 |
12,931 |
0.77 |
68 |
12,313 |
0.55 |
167 |
25,244 |
0.66 |
| 16-20 |
199 |
10,696 |
1.86 |
82 |
10,137 |
0.81 |
281 |
20,834 |
1.35 |
| 21-24 |
225 |
8,702 |
2.59 |
71 |
8,155 |
0.87 |
296 |
16,857 |
1.76 |
| 25-34 |
453 |
20,421 |
2.22 |
160 |
19,722 |
0.81 |
613 |
40,143 |
1.53 |
| 35-44 |
592 |
21,940 |
2.7 |
212 |
21,922 |
0.97 |
804 |
43,862 |
1.83 |
| 45-54 |
688 |
20,895 |
3.29 |
213 |
21,587 |
0.99 |
901 |
42,482 |
2.12 |
| 55-64 |
390 |
14,627 |
2.67 |
165 |
15,729 |
1.05 |
555 |
30,356 |
1.83 |
| 65-74 |
286 |
8,529 |
3.35 |
120 |
10,110 |
1.19 |
406 |
18,640 |
2.18 |
| 75-84 |
245 |
5,279 |
4.64 |
178 |
7,775 |
2.29 |
423 |
13,054 |
3.24 |
| 85 + |
80 |
1,604 |
4.99 |
72 |
3,492 |
2.06 |
152 |
5,096 |
2.98 |
| Unknown |
41 |
- |
- |
9 |
- |
- |
62 |
- |
- |
| Total |
3,432 |
146,000 |
2.35 |
1,437 |
150,411 |
0.96 |
***4,881 |
296,410 |
1.65 |
Age (Years) |
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
Injured |
Population (thousands) |
Injury Rate* |
Injured |
Population (thousands) |
Injury Rate* |
Injured |
Population (thousands) |
Injury Rate* |
| <5 |
2,000 |
10,381 |
16 |
1,000 |
9,922 |
12 |
3,000 |
20,304 |
14 |
| 5-9 |
4,000 |
9,993 |
41 |
3,000 |
9,545 |
36 |
7,000 |
19,539 |
38 |
| 10-15 |
5,000 |
12,931 |
35 |
4,000 |
12,313 |
29 |
8,000 |
25,244 |
32 |
| 16-20 |
4,000 |
10,696 |
41 |
2,000 |
10,137 |
24 |
7,000 |
20,834 |
33 |
| 21-24 |
3,000 |
8,702 |
37 |
3,000 |
8,155 |
37 |
6,000 |
16,857 |
37 |
| 25-34 |
4,000 |
20,421 |
21 |
3,000 |
19,722 |
14 |
7,000 |
40,143 |
17 |
| 35-44 |
5,000 |
21,940 |
25 |
2,000 |
21,922 |
8 |
7,000 |
43,862 |
17 |
| 45-54 |
5,000 |
20,895 |
22 |
4,000 |
21,587 |
17 |
8,000 |
42,482 |
20 |
| 55-64 |
3,000 |
14,627 |
23 |
2,000 |
15,729 |
11 |
5,000 |
30,356 |
17 |
| 65-74 |
2,000 |
8,529 |
18 |
2,000 |
10,110 |
16 |
3,000 |
18,640 |
17 |
| 75-84 |
1,000 |
5,279 |
24 |
1,000 |
7,775 |
10 |
2,000 |
13,054 |
16 |
| 85 + |
** |
1,604 |
2 |
** |
3,492 |
6 |
** |
5,096 |
4 |
| Total |
38,000 |
146,000 |
26 |
26,000 |
150,411 |
17 |
64,000 |
296,410 |
22 |
* Rate per 100,000 population. ** Less than 500. *** Includes 2 fatalities of unknown sex.
Note: Totals may not equal sum of components due to independent rounding.
Source: Population — Bureau of the Census projections. |
Table 6
Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities and Fatality Rates by State, 2005
State |
Total Traffic Fatalities |
Resident Population (thousands) |
Pedestrian Fatalities |
Percent of Total |
Pedestrian Fatalities per 100,000 Population |
| Alabama |
1,131 |
4,558 |
72 |
6.4 |
1.58 |
| Alaska |
72 |
664 |
7 |
9.7 |
1.05 |
| Arizona |
1,177 |
5,939 |
157 |
13.3 |
2.64 |
| Arkansas |
648 |
2,779 |
37 |
5.7 |
1.33 |
| California |
4,329 |
36,132 |
742 |
17.1 |
2.05 |
| Colorado |
606 |
4,665 |
48 |
7.9 |
1.03 |
| Connecticut |
274 |
3,510 |
34 |
12.4 |
0.97 |
| Delaware |
134 |
844 |
11 |
8.2 |
1.3 |
| Dist of Columbia |
48 |
551 |
16 |
33.3 |
2.91 |
| Florida |
3,543 |
17,790 |
576 |
16.3 |
3.24 |
| Georgia |
1,729 |
9,073 |
150 |
8.7 |
1.65 |
| Hawaii |
140 |
1,275 |
35 |
25 |
2.74 |
| Idaho |
275 |
1,429 |
9 |
3.3 |
0.63 |
| Illinois |
1,361 |
12,763 |
164 |
12 |
1.28 |
| Indiana |
938 |
6,272 |
63 |
6.7 |
1 |
| Iowa |
450 |
2,966 |
24 |
5.3 |
0.81 |
| Kansas |
428 |
2,745 |
24 |
5.6 |
0.87 |
| Kentucky |
985 |
4,173 |
54 |
5.5 |
1.29 |
| Louisiana |
955 |
4,524 |
109 |
11.4 |
2.41 |
| Maine |
169 |
1,322 |
9 |
5.3 |
0.68 |
| Maryland |
614 |
5,600 |
102 |
16.6 |
1.82 |
| Massachusetts |
442 |
6,399 |
76 |
17.2 |
1.19 |
| Michigan |
1,129 |
10,121 |
137 |
12.1 |
1.35 |
| Minnesota |
559 |
5,133 |
44 |
7.9 |
0.86 |
| Mississippi |
931 |
2,921 |
72 |
7.7 |
2.46 |
| Missouri |
1,257 |
5,800 |
88 |
7 |
1.52 |
| Montana |
251 |
936 |
13 |
5.2 |
1.39 |
| Nebraska |
276 |
1,759 |
8 |
2.9 |
0.45 |
| Nevada |
427 |
2,415 |
63 |
14.8 |
2.61 |
| New Hampshire |
166 |
1,310 |
5 |
3 |
0.38 |
| New Jersey |
748 |
8,718 |
154 |
20.6 |
1.77 |
| New Mexico |
488 |
1,928 |
61 |
12.5 |
3.16 |
| New York |
1,429 |
19,255 |
321 |
22.5 |
1.67 |
| North Carolina |
1,534 |
8,683 |
164 |
10.7 |
1.89 |
| North Dakota |
123 |
637 |
9 |
7.3 |
1.41 |
| Ohio |
1,323 |
11,464 |
95 |
7.2 |
0.83 |
| Oklahoma |
802 |
3,548 |
50 |
6.2 |
1.41 |
| Oregon |
488 |
3,641 |
48 |
9.8 |
1.32 |
| Pennsylvania |
1,616 |
12,430 |
159 |
9.8 |
1.28 |
| Rhode Island |
87 |
1,076 |
14 |
16.1 |
1.3 |
| South Carolina |
1,093 |
4,255 |
98 |
9 |
2.3 |
| South Dakota |
186 |
776 |
14 |
7.5 |
1.8 |
| Tennessee |
1,270 |
5,963 |
70 |
5.5 |
1.17 |
| Texas |
3,504 |
22,860 |
419 |
12 |
1.83 |
| Utah |
282 |
2,470 |
20 |
7.1 |
0.81 |
| Vermont |
73 |
623 |
3 |
4.1 |
0.48 |
| Virginia |
947 |
7,567 |
88 |
9.3 |
1.16 |
| Washington |
647 |
6,288 |
71 |
11 |
1.13 |
| West Virginia |
374 |
1,817 |
23 |
6.1 |
1.27 |
| Wisconsin |
815 |
5,536 |
44 |
5.4 |
0.79 |
| Wyoming |
170 |
509 |
7 |
4.1 |
1.37 |
| U.S. Total |
43,443 |
296,410 |
4,881 |
11.2 |
1.65 |
| Puerto Rico |
453 |
3,912 |
133 |
29.4 |
3.4 |
Note: Totals may not equal sum of components due to independent rounding.
Sources: Fatalities — Fatality Analysis Reporting System, NHTSA. Population — Bureau of the Census. |
For more information:
Information on youth safety is available from the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NPO-101, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590. NCSA information can also be obtained by telephone or by fax-on-demand at 800-934-8517. Fax messages should be sent to 202-366-7078. General information on highway traffic safety can be accessed by Internet users at www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/ncsa. To report a safety-related problem or to inquire about motor vehicle safety information, contact the Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236.
Other fact sheets available from the National Center for Statistics and Analysis are Overview, Alcohol, Bicyclists and Other Cyclists (formerly titled Pedalcyclists), Children, Large Trucks, Motorcycles, Occupant Protection, Older Population, School Transportation-Related Crashes, Speeding, State Alcohol Estimates, State Traffic Data, and Young Drivers. Detailed data on motor vehicle traffic crashes are published annually in Traffic Safety Facts: A Compilation of Motor Vehicle Crash Data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and the General Estimates System. The fact sheets and annual Traffic Safety Facts report can be accessed online at www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/ncsa. |
back to index |
