Charles J Argento, Accident and Injury Attorney
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Are pedestrian deaths more common in rural or urban areas?

On Behalf of | Mar 30, 2018 | blog

When some people think about fatal pedestrian accidents, they might picture a pedestrian being struck while trying to use a crosswalk in a suburban area, or someone being hit while walking on an interstate highway. However, it is essential to keep in mind that pedestrian accidents happen in various areas. If you regularly walk for any reason or drive a vehicle, it may be useful to go over statistics regarding fatal pedestrian accidents to better understand the problem.

Pedestrian accidents occur in many ways, from poor lighting to drivers reaching excessive speeds. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more pedestrian lives were claimed in urban areas during 2013 as opposed to rural areas. Throughout 2013, 73 percent of pedestrian fatalities took place in an urban setting, while 27 percent happened in a rural area. It is also important to point out that the majority of fatal pedestrian accidents took place outside of an intersection in 2013 (69 percent), while 20 percent occurred within an intersection. Furthermore, the majority of pedestrian lives were claimed during nighttime hours (72 percent).

Even though statistics have shown that fatal pedestrian accidents occurred more frequently in urban areas than they did in rural areas during 2013, it is vital to keep in mind that fatal pedestrian accidents happen in all sorts of places across the country, even on very quiet roads. Pedestrians should always be aware of their surroundings, regardless of where or the reason why they are walking, and drivers should also keep an eye out for pedestrians at all times.