Inland Empire Among Deadliest Places In America For Pedestrians: Report

RIVERSIDE, CA — The Inland Empire is among the deadliest places in America for pedestrians, according to a recent report.

Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario had the 12th-highest average annual pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 people between 2018 and 2022, according to Dangerous By Design 2024, a report from Smart Growth America and the National Complete Streets Coalition.

The metro area averaged 3.46 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people, tying for 12th in the ranking with Columbia, South Carolina. Two Florida metros — Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville and Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach — were ranked 11th and 14th, respectively.

During the five-year period considered, Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario had 797 pedestrian fatalities, up from 572 during the previous five years.

Deaths of people struck and killed while walking reached a 40-year high nationally in 2022 with 7,522 fatalities, a 75 percent increase since 2010, according to the report.

“Designing streets for everyone to safely use is important to reverse this epidemic, encourage physical activity through walking, and produce a range of other community benefits,” the report said.

The three metro areas with the highest pedestrian fatality rates in the ranking were Memphis with 5.14 deaths per 100,000 people, Albuquerque with 4.83 and Tucson with 4.16. Bakersfield was fourth with 3.99.

The report noted people with low incomes are more likely to be walking in dangerous areas, people of color are disproportionately affected by walking deaths, and people ages 50 to 65 and over 75 are more likely to be struck and killed while walking.