Pedestrian Deaths in the U.S. Reach 40-Year High

The number of pedestrians killed by vehicles in the US in 2022 was the highest it has been since 1981, with at least 7,508 people struck and killed, according to a report by the Governors Highway Safety Association. The report identified several factors that could have contributed to this increase, including more risky driving during the coronavirus pandemic and a lack of awareness and enforcement of laws meant to keep pedestrians safe. The report suggested that safety could be improved through infrastructure changes, lowering driving speeds, and focusing traffic enforcement on people who are speeding or practicing other dangerous driving behaviors, such as driving while distracted or impaired.