Declining Road Safety

Among industrialized nations, the U.S. is the deadliest for pedestrians. In 2022, more than 7,500 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents, a 41-year high. Though initial data from the first half of 2024 shows a slight decrease in these numbers, overall pedestrian deaths have risen 48 percent since 2014. In 2022, 1,084 bicyclists died in motor vehicle crashes, a thirteen percent increase from 2021. Though cyclist deaths declined to approximately 850 in 2024, this represents an increase of nearly 43 percent since 2010. People of color are disproportionately affected by these trends. Poor road design and increasing vehicle size are factors that contribute to these numbers.

While Vision Zero gains more attention in the U.S. (see PAS Memo 118, "Achieving Vision Zero in Practice," to learn how Jersey City, New Jersey, achieved zero traffic deaths in 2022), more needs to be done. Planners can play a vital role in addressing this problem and finding creative solutions to protect pedestrians and bicyclists.