Number of Pedestrian Deaths Continues to Climb

The national number of injuries and deaths for pedestrians and bicyclists has steadily increased since 2009, according to WTOP.

In 2013 there were 45 pedestrian fatalities in D.C., the City of Alexandria, and Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties combined. This year there have been 38 deaths so far.

Recent pedestrian fatality in Fairfax.

According to WTOP, about half of the fatalities occurred where there typically aren’t crosswalks, including interstates, federal highways, state highways, or primary arterial streets. The age range of those killed this year starts at 1-year-old and ends at 94-years-old with a median age of 41.

Jonathon Adkins, of the Governors Highway Safety Association, told WTOP that more men die in traffic accidents because they’re bigger risk takers.

Pedestrian fatality in Reston.

Pedestrian deaths increased by 6 percent and bicyclists deaths rose by almost 7 percent between 2011 and 2012.

To promote safety, new pedestrian signals called High-Intensity Activated crossWalK (HAWK) beacons have been installed in busy crosswalks in D.C., according to WTOP. The signals stop cross-traffic when pedestrians and bicyclists need them.

Pedestrian dies in DUI crash.

Pedestrian collisions in Montgomery County have declined in recent years. Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett implemented a plan in 2007 that has focused on increasing public awareness, and targeting unsafe corridors and pedestrian walkways.

According to the DCist, at least 373 pedestrians and cyclists have been struck by drivers in D.C. this year, at least seven fatally. See their map at DCist.com

Read more about the D.C. metro region gathered data on pedestrian deaths.