How Ohio Ranks For Pedestrian Traffic Deaths

CLEVELAND — Pedestrian traffic deaths increased a dramatic 35 percent in the United States from 2008 to 2017. Ohio ranks 13th in the country for most pedestrian traffic deaths in the first six months of 2018, according to a new report from the Governors Highway Safety Association.

The safety organization looked at pedestrian traffic deaths in every state to see which had the highest rates. The group then broke down the information by total number of fatalities, fatality rates per 100,000 people, and the percent change from the same time period in 2017.

The Buckeye State has one of the highest pedestrian traffic fatality rates in the nation.

• Number of pedestrian traffic deaths: 63

• Percent change from 2017 to 2018: Up 18 percent

The study found that based on the number of pedestrian fatalities during the first six months of 2018, along with reports from prior years, there were a projected 6,227 pedestrian deaths in 2018, which is an estimated 4 percent increase from 2017.

Our state isn’t taking a backseat approach to aiding with the growing problem. Here's what the report said about Ohio's approach to its pedestrian death rate.

Ohio DOT (ODOT) developed materials for a statewide campaign around pedestrian safety in 2018,
called “Your Move Ohio.” Messages included “Yield to Pedestrians When Turning,” “Look Out for Each Other,” and “Slow Down, Watch for Pedestrians.” The campaign included a statewide advertisement buy, social media page, development of materials for local communities, car magnets and distribution of flashing reflectors across the state. In addition, Ohio DOT and statewide partners are working to emphasize pedestrian safety within the novice Driver’s Education Program. Statewide partners are creating supplemental materials on driver education emphasizing laws that keep pedestrians safe.

Regarding enforcement, ODOT facilitates a statewide active transportation network for partners and practitioners. Best practices for bicyclist and pedestrian safety are shared, including enforcement strategies. Within the scope of the Safe Routes to School Program, ODOT funds projects to improve student safety, including training and implementation of enforcement activities. At least four communities were awarded projects in 2018 that addressed enforcement in some way.

ODOT administers funding that can be used to improve the design of pedestrian facilities. For example, the Safe Routes to School program provides $4 million annually to communities looking to improve the safety for K-8 students to walk or bike to school. The Transportation Alternatives program provided roughly $27 million for projects in 2018, many of which supported bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The Highway Safety Improvement Program funds programs focused on improving roadway safety, for which pedestrian projects are eligible.

Through Section 402 funding, each Safe Communities program can direct programming based on
local problem identification. Butler County, Franklin County and Hamilton County (which represent 28 percent of statewide pedestrian fatalities) have proposed pedestrian activities in their grants to address pedestrian issues. Butler, Franklin and Hamilton County Safe Communities will conduct evidence-based programs that will specifically address their pedestrian problem identification.

You’ll want to be extra careful walking alongside a road in New Mexico. The state finished with the highest pedestrian fatality rate in the nation, with 2.26 deaths for every 100,000 people.

Pedestrian fatality rates have been on the increase in the United States. The number of deaths increased by 35 percent in recent years, going from 4,414 total deaths in 2008 to 5,977 deaths in 2017, according to the safety administration.

While it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact cause for the uptick, the government highway group sites the national shift away from passenger cars to larger trucks and the growth of smartphone use as two possible reasons.

It’s not all bad news for pedestrian fatality rates in 2018:

• Pedestrian deaths during the first half of 2018 declined in 23 states compared with the same period in 2017.
• Six states had double-digit declines in both the number and percent change in pedestrian fatalities from 2017.
• Three states reported two consecutive years of a declining number of pedestrian deaths.

Here are the 10 states with the most pedestrian traffic deaths in the first half of 2018:

1. California: 432
2. Florida: 330
3. Texas: 298
4. Georgia: 133
5. Arizona: 125
6. New York: 117
7. North Carolina: 102
8. Pennsylvania: 90
9. Illinois: 80
10. Louisiana: 77

Patch reporter Gus Saltonstall contributed to this report.