New report reveals a 14% increase in pedestrian fatalities since prepandemic levels, but progress is being made.

  • Number of pedestrian deaths in the US increased by 14% from 2019 to 2023, according to a new report from the Governors Highway Safety Association.
  • Pedestrian fatalities dropped more than 5% between 2022 and 2023, offering hope for improvement.
  • America’s embrace of larger vehicles, increased speeding, and lack of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure contribute to the issue.
  • Increased police presence, automatic enforcement technology, and improved roadway design are showing promise in reducing pedestrian deaths.
  • Alcohol impairment is a significant factor in pedestrian fatalities, with 30% involving intoxicated pedestrians and 19% intoxicated drivers.

A new report from the Governors Highway Safety Association shows that the number of pedestrians killed in motor-vehicle crashes in the US has risen by 14% since pre-pandemic levels. Despite a 5% drop between 2022 and 2023, the issue remains a significant concern. Factors contributing to the problem include larger vehicles, speeding, lack of pedestrian infrastructure, and increased alcohol use. The association suggests implementing changes such as automatic-braking technology, improved road design, and stricter traffic enforcement.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate and objective information about the increase in pedestrian fatalities in the US, citing data from a nonprofit safety group. It discusses potential causes such as bigger vehicles, speeding, lack of infrastructure, and alcohol use, and suggests possible solutions like improved road design, traffic enforcement, and crash-prevention technology. The article also includes estimates for 2023 and mentions the slight decrease in overall crash deaths in the first quarter of 2024.
Noise Level: 6
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about the increase in pedestrian fatalities and offers some insights into potential causes such as bigger vehicles, speeding, lack of infrastructure, and alcohol use. However, it also includes some filler content like the mention of automatic-braking technology becoming more popular in cars and a brief reference to overall crash deaths without providing much context or analysis. Additionally, the call to ‘join the conversation’ at the end feels like an invitation for reader engagement rather than contributing to the article’s substance.
Public Companies: Governors Highway Safety Association ()
Key People: Jonathan Adkins (Chief Executive Officer), Pam Shadel Fischer (Senior Director of External Engagement)

Financial Relevance: No
Financial Markets Impacted: No
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses an increase in pedestrian fatalities and potential solutions, which does not directly impact financial markets or companies. However, it highlights a societal issue that could potentially affect insurance costs and public safety spending.
Presence Of Extreme Event: Yes
Nature Of Extreme Event: Major Accident (pedestrian fatalities in motor-vehicle crashes)
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: Severe
Extreme Rating Justification: There is an extreme event of major accident involving pedestrian fatalities in motor-vehicle crashes, with 7,318 pedestrians killed in 2023, a 14% increase from 2019. The number of deaths rose nearly 77% between 2010 and 2022. The article highlights the need for infrastructure improvements, safer vehicle designs, lower speeds, and equitable traffic enforcement to address this issue.

Reported publicly: www.wsj.com