The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration just released its latest study of pedestrian accidents. Using data from 2012, the study revealed a dramatic six percent increase in pedestrian accident fatalities over 2011, the highest number of fatalities in the last 5 years. On average, a pedestrian was killed every 2 hours and injured every 7 minutes in traffic crashes.

In Los Angeles, pedestrian accidents accounted for the nation’s second highest number of fatalities, just behind New York City, with pedestrian fatalities accounting for about a third of all traffic fatalities, or nearly triple the national average. California once again led the nation in pedestrian fatalities, 28 percent higher than its closest rival, Texas.

Almost three out of every four pedestrian fatalities occur in urban areas. Many pedestrians are killed in crosswalks, on sidewalks, median strips, and traffic islands. Sixty percent of the pedestrians injured in accidents are involved in left-turn collisions. Nearly one-half of all pedestrian fatalities occurred on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and seventy-two percent at night. Pedestrian fatalities are highest for people ages 70 and older but 36% of young (under age 16) pedestrian fatalities occurred in crashes between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

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Source PRWeb