A new analysis of traffic safety data conducted by Dr. Richard Retting, director of safety and research at Sam Schwartz Consulting, shows that pedestrian fatalities increased by 6 percent during the first half of 2015 compared to the same period the previous year. 

In the first six months of 2014, there were 2,232 pedestrian fatalities while 2,368 fatalities occurred in the first six months of 2015. Taking into account the fact that an average of 25 percent more pedestrian deaths occurred in the latter six months of the year for the past five years, researchers reported the increase over the full year of 2015 as 10 percent. In addition, 42 percent of these fatalities occurred in only four states: California, Florida, Texas and New York.

Dr. Retting, who is a nationally recognized expert in the field of traffic safety, recently addressed a forum on pedestrian safety sponsored by the National Transportation Safety Board. At the same forum, Dr. Jessica Cicchino, vice president of research for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, also noted that although pedestrian fatalities have dropped by 30 percent since 1975, the U.S. has experienced a 15 percent increase since 2009. 

Among other facts of note that were revealed at the forum is the highest rates of pedestrian fatalities occurred with people 70 years of age and older while children experienced the greatest decrease in deaths, falling an astonishing 92 percent since 1975. 

The purpose of the forum on pedestrian safety was to determine new methods of reducing pedestrian fatalities, and several suggestions were made by the panelists. A few examples include a further separation of pedestrians from motor vehicles, improving the visibility of pedestrians, reducing the speed limit and introducing design changes in street-legal vehicles. 

Improving pedestrian safety became a hot topic when the Federal Highways Administration announced that it will soon include data on pedestrian traffic accidents in its database. Keeping pedestrians safe is now a priority, and many other suggestions for doing so were provided by leaders in the field at the forum. 

Linda Bailey, executive director of the National Association of City Transportation Officials, believes safety can be improved for pedestrians and bicyclists not only by reducing speed limits but also by establishing islands in the center of intersections. 

Carl Sundstrom, of the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center, stated that most pedestrian accidents occur at intersections, and he offered additional suggestions to improve safety at these locations, such as adding left-turn signals for vehicles and installing traffic lights that give pedestrians a head start crossing streets before other traffic is allowed to move. 

Luisia Paiewonsky, director of the Volpe Center for Infrastructure Systems and Technology, pointed out that improving pedestrian safety had always concentrated on the vehicle side of the equation. However, the focus now is first directed toward outside concerns, such as roads and infrastructure. 

While improved safety through vehicle technology took a backseat at the forum, it was not totally abandoned. New, infrared technology is already available that allows smart vehicles to digitally recognize pedestrians, according to Bob Kreeb, intelligent technologies researcher for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). He suggested that this technology be installed near traffic lights to create smart intersections. In the meantime, Kreeb believes that safety could be improved by requiring cars to be retrofit with this technology.

If you or someone close to you has become injured or is the victim of a wrongful death as a pedestrian in a traffic accident, don’t take any chances at receiving just compensation. Contact a pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible for a free consultation to discuss your options.