Pedestrian Traffic Deaths In 2016: Michigan Statistics

In the first six months of 2016, 59 Michigan pedestrians died after they were struck by automobiles. As horrific as that number may seem, it was fewer than the 62 pedestrians killed in the same time period in the year prior, according to a new study by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association released Thursday.

Fatalities declined 4.8 percent, but the difference wasn’t enough to change the rate of pedestrian fatalities in Michigan per 100,000 population. At 1.71 per 100,000 population the rate remained unchanged from 2015 to 2016, according to the preliminary data.

Also according to the data, pedestrian traffic fatalities increased in 34 states and decreased in 15 states and the District of Columbia. Overall, the study estimates that the number of pedestrians killed in 2016 increased by 11 percent compared to 2015, the largest annual increase in both the number and percentage of pedestrian fatalities in 40 years. The increase for all of 2016 was estimated based on preliminary data provided by State Highway Safety Offices for the first half of 2016.

The GHSA says factors such as increased driving, fuel prices and the amount of time people spent walking all likely contributed to the increase in pedestrian fatalities. A more recent factor for the increase may be the use of smartphones while walking and driving, which can be a source of distraction for both pedestrians and motorists.

As a percentage of total motor vehicle deaths, pedestrian deaths increased from 11 percent to 15 percent between 2006-2015.

The study also highlighted what states are doing to combat the increase in pedestrian fatalities.
Many municipalities across Michigan are using public education and share-the-road messaging to promote pedestrian safety. Information sharing is occurring between state and local agencies working on a pedestrian and bicycle action team.

For more on the report, go here.

Photo by John Pastor via Flickr Commons