An analysis by the Governors Highway Safety Association projected a 17% increase in pedestrians killed in the first six months of 2021.
Across roadways in America, a grim reality is driving calls for change as more people walking are killed. Studies show pedestrian deaths have gone up by at least 45% over the last decade.
“That was like his favorite thing, to spent time with his grandsons,” said Marissa, who shared home videos of him playing with her two sons. “What part of our lives has not been affected? Everything before the crash is no more. Like we don’t have that life anymore, it’s a totally new life,” said Marissa.
“Fatalities in the United States are substantially higher than in any other developed country,” said Beth Osborne. “The danger is because of the design of the roadway. The reason these are the people who bear the brunt of the problem is lower income people and people of color are more likely to have to move around without a vehicle. That is a huge expense to put on people. And because of the way we design our communities and roadways they often have to be utilized for people to go very short distances, even 3 or 4 blocks.
“It is what we call a mid block crossing. So it’s a place that’s not at a traditional traffic signal or intersection where pedestrians can cross,” Lambert said. “This light actually stops traffic so that pedestrians can cross and that’s really what we need on our high speed corridors.