Pedestrian Traffic Deaths In 2016: North Carolina Sees Increase

WASHINGTON, DC — Pedestrian traffic fatalities in 2016 increased by roughly 24 percent in North Carolina compared with 2015, according to a new study by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association released last week.

According to the analysis of preliminary 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.

According to the study, between January-June 2016, there were 96 pedestrian traffic fatalities in North Carolina. For the same period in 2015, there were 77 pedestrian traffic fatalities.

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. In North Carolina, those efforts include the Watch For Me NC program, which offers training, resources, media, and technical assistance to local agencies to support pedestrian and bicycle law enforcement, community engagement/outreach, and policy change. More than 65 police agencies have participated in the program since its inception in 2012. The Outer Banks Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Coalition, for example, uses program concepts and principles to address vulnerable road user issues with residents and visitors.

There is a joint partnership between NCDOT and NC Division of Public Health to operate a statewide Active Routes to School project, with ten Regional Coordinators encouraging active travel to school. As part of that work, they use NCDOT-developed Let’s Go NC! Walking and Bicycling Skills curriculum and provide training to teachers and after-school programs.

The Executive Committee for Highway Safety adopted Vision Zero in 2015 as the guiding principal for North Carolina’s traffic safety efforts and committed to driving down traffic fatalities by 50 percent by 2030, with the ultimate goal of zero traffic fatalities. Vision Zero was publicly launched in 2016, with pedestrian safety as a key component.

Engineering countermeasures include: marked crosswalks (traditional and high visibility), advanced vehicle yield lines, warning signs, pedestrian refuge islands, curb ramp adjustments, countdown pedestrian heads at signalized locations, lead pedestrian intervals, pedestrian hybrid beacons (HAWK), rectangular rapid flashing beacons, standard flasher at crosswalk, yield here for pedestrian signing, pavement marking enhancements, sidewalks, and pedestrian corridor lighting, tunnels, sight distance improvements, and Pedestrian Road Safety Reviews.

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