Pedestrian Fatalities Largely Unchanged in 2014 - East Idaho News
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Pedestrian Fatalities Largely Unchanged in 2014

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Thinkstock 022615 Crosswalk?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1424948114547stevanovicigor/iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — A new report released Thursday details pedestrian fatalities in 2014, finding that the rate of pedestrian death is virtually unchanged from the year before.

The report, titled Spotlight on Highway Safety: Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State, was released by the Governors Highway Safety Association. The GHSA estimated that 2,125 pedestrians were killed in the first half of 2014 — a slight decrease than the figure in the first half of 2013 (2,141). The 2014 figure is about 15 percent higher than in 2009, the report indicates.

Perhaps most notably, 42 percent of pedestrian deaths occur in just four states — California, Florida, New York and Texas.

“While we’re encouraged that pedestrian fatalities haven’t increased over the past two years, progress has been slow,” GHSA Executive Director Jonathan Adkins said in a release. “Protecting pedestrians is a priority for GHSA and our members; we’re determined to drive the number down to zero.”

The GHSA report did find that 24 states and the District of Columbia saw decreases in pedestrian fatalities in 2014. Sixteen states saw single-digit fatality figures, while Wyoming and Nebraska each reported just one.

The report details efforts being made around the country to combat the problem of fatal accidents involving pedestrians. Specifically mentioned are crossing guards in Pennsylvania, education patrols featuring Delaware police officers and a lowered speed limit in New York City.


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