Traffic Safety Facts

2019 Data
May 2021 DOT HS 813 079

Pedestrians
This fact sheet defines a pedestrian as any person on foot, walking, running, jogging, hiking,
In this fact sheet for 2019 the sitting, or lying down who is involved in a motor vehicle traffic crash. These exclude people
information is presented as on personal conveyances like roller skates, inline skates, skateboards, baby strollers, scooters,
follows. toy wagons, motorized skateboards, motorized toy cars, Segway-style devices, motorized and
• Overview
non-motorized wheelchairs, and scooters for those with disabilities (see Appendix).

• Age and Sex

Key Findings
• Alcohol ■ In 2019 there were 6,205 pedestrians ■ In 2019 seventy percent of the pedestri-
killed in traffic crashes, a 2.7-percent ans killed in traffic crashes were males.
• Crash Characteristics
decrease from the 6,374 pedestrian fatali-
■ Alcohol involvement (blood alcohol con-
• Time of Day and Day of Week ties in 2018.
centration [BAC] of .01 grams per deciliter
• Vehicle Type and Impact Point ■ In 2019 there were an estimated 76,000 [g/dL] or higher) – for the driver and/or
pedestrians injured, a 1-percent increase the pedestrian – was reported in 46 per-
• State from 75,000 pedestrians injured in 2018. cent of all fatal pedestrian crashes in 2019.
• City ■ On average, a pedestrian was killed every ■ More pedestrian fatalities occurred in
• Appendix 85 minutes and injured every 7 minutes urban areas (82%) than rural areas (18%)
in traffic crashes in 2019. in 2019.
• Important Safety Reminders
■ Pedestrian deaths accounted for 17 per- ■ Twenty-six percent of pedestrian fatali-
cent of all traffic fatalities and 3 percent ties occurred from 6 to 8:59 p.m. in 2019.
of all people injured in traffic crashes in
■ In 2019, ninety percent of the pedestrians
2019.
were killed in traffic crashes that involved
■ In 2019 seventeen percent of the children single vehicles.
14 and younger killed in traffic crashes
■ One out of every five pedestrians killed
were pedestrians.
in 2019 (20%) were struck in crashes that
involved hit-and-run drivers.

This fact sheet contains information on fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes based on data from
the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and non-fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes
from the National Automotive Sampling System (NASS) General Estimates System (GES)
and Crash Report Sampling System (CRSS). Refer to the end of this publication for more
information on FARS, NASS GES, and CRSS.

A motor vehicle traffic crash is defined as an incident that involved one or more motor vehi-
cles in transport that originated on a public trafficway, such as a road or highway. Crashes that
occurred on private property, including parking lots and driveways, are excluded. The terms
“motor vehicle traffic crash” and “traffic crash” are used interchangeably.
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20590

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis

 TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS PEDESTRIANS | 2019 DATA

Overview
In 2019 there were 6,205 pedestrians killed (Table 1) in traffic 10-year period from 2010 to 2019. The 6,205 pedestrian fatali-
crashes in the United States. That is 17 pedestrians a day and ties in 2019 were a 2.7-percent decrease from 6,374 pedestrian
119 pedestrians a week. On average, a pedestrian was killed fatalities in 2018. Seventeen percent of all traffic fatalities in
every 85 minutes in a traffic crash. 2019 were pedestrians. In 2019 there were an estimated 76,000
pedestrians injured, a 1-percent increase from 75,000 pedes-
Table 1 presents the distribution of pedestrian fatalities as a trians injured in 2018. Pedestrians injured made up of 3 per-
percentage of total fatalities as well as pedestrians injured as cent of the total people injured in crashes in 2019.
a percentage of total people injured in traffic crashes, in the

Table 1
Total Fatalities and Pedestrian Fatalities, and Total Injured and Pedestrians Injured in Traffic Crashes, 2010–2019
Pedestrian Fatalities Pedestrians Injured
Total Percentage of Percentage of
Year Fatalities Number Total Fatalities Year Total Injured Number Total Injured*

2010 32,999 4,302 13% 2010 2,248,000 70,000 3%

2011 32,479 4,457 14% 2011 2,227,000 69,000 3%
2012 33,782 4,818 14% 2012 2,369,000 76,000 3%
2013 32,893 4,779 15% 2013 2,319,000 66,000 3%
2014 32,744 4,910 15% 2014 2,343,000 65,000 3%
2015 35,484 5,494 15% 2015 2,455,000 70,000 3%
2016 37,806 6,080 16% 2016† 3,062,000 86,000 3%
2017 37,473 6,075 16% 2017† 2,745,000 71,000 3%
2018 36,835 6,374 17% 2018 †
2,710,000 75,000 3%
2019 36,096 6,205 17% 2019† 2,740,000 76,000 3%
Sources: FARS 2010–2018 Final File, 2019 Annual Report File (ARF); NASS GES 2010–2015 and CRSS 2016-2019
*Percentages were calculated using injured estimates before rounding.
†
CRSS estimates and NASS GES estimates are not comparable due to different sample designs. Refer to end of document for more information about CRSS.

Age and Sex

Table 2 contains the number of people killed and injured, num- ■ Twenty-one percent of all pedestrian fatalities were people
ber of pedestrians killed and injured, and the proportions of 65 and older (1,290 of the 6,171 pedestrian fatalities with
pedestrians killed among total killed, and pedestrians injured known age).
among total people injured, in 2019 by age group.
■ The average age of pedestrians killed in traffic crashes was
In 2019: 48.
■ Seventeen percent of children 14 and younger killed in traf- ■ Over the past 10 years the average age of those killed has
fic crashes were pedestrians. increased slightly, from 45 to 48.
■ The age group with the highest percentage of pedestrian ■ An estimated 3 percent of all people injured were pedestri-
traffic fatalities was the 55-to-59 age group at 23 percent. ans.
■ The age group with the largest number (659) of pedestrian ■ Children 10 to 14 years old had the highest estimated per-
fatalities was 55-to-59, followed by 60-to-64 (550) and centage of pedestrians injured (6%) among the different age
50-to-54 (533). groups.
■ The age group with the smallest number (46) of pedestrian
fatalities was 5-to-9, followed by <5 (57) and 10-to-14 (78).

2 NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590
 PEDESTRIANS | 2019 DATA TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS

Table 2
Total and Pedestrians Killed and Injured in Traffic Crashes, by Age Group, 2019
Pedestrians Killed Pedestrians Injured
Percentage of Percentage of
Age Group Total Killed Number Total Killed Age Group Total Injured Number Total Injured1
<5 316 57 18% <5 45,000 1,000 2%
5-9 322 46 14% 5-9 64,000 3,000 4%
10-14 415 78 19% 10-14 74,000 4,000 6%
Children (≤14) 1,053 181 17% Children (≤14) 183,000 8,000 4%
15-20 2,838 243 9% 15-20 335,000 8,000 2%
21-24 2,956 304 10% 21-24 257,000 5,000 2%
25-29 3,606 503 14% 25-29 310,000 7,000 2%
30-34 2,942 503 17% 30-34 248,000 6,000 2%
35-39 2,765 511 18% 35-39 227,000 6,000 3%
40-44 2,352 435 18% 40-44 193,000 5,000 2%
45-49 2,396 459 19% 45-49 191,000 4,000 2%
50-54 2,562 533 21% 50-54 184,000 5,000 3%
55-59 2,870 659 23% 55-59 185,000 6,000 3%
60-64 2,477 550 22% 60-64 142,000 5,000 3%
65-69 2,019 412 20% 65-69 107,000 4,000 4%
70-74 1,639 304 19% 70-74 75,000 2,000 3%
75-79 1,384 238 17% 75-79 52,000 2,000 3%
80+ 2,172 336 15% 80+ 53,000 2,000 3%
Ages 65+ 7,214 1,290 18% Ages 65+ 286,000 10,000 3%
Total* 36,096 6,205 17% Total 2
2,740,000 76,000 3%
Sources: FARS 2019 ARF; CRSS 2019
*Includes fatalities of unknown age.
¹Percentages were calculated using injured estimates before rounding.
²May not equal sum of components due to independent rounding.

Table 3 contains the number of pedestrians killed and injured ■ The highest overall pedestrian fatality rates by age group
in 2019 by age group and sex. The total fatality and injury rates were in 55-to-59, followed by 60-to-64 age group (3.01 and
per 100,000 population are calculated by age group and sex. 2.67 per 100,000 population, respectively).

In 2019: ■ The overall male pedestrian injury rate per 100,000 popula-
tion was 26, compared with 21 for females.
■ Seventy percent (4,344 of 6,205) of the pedestrians killed in
traffic crashes were male. ■ The highest overall pedestrian injury rates by age group
were for those ages 15-to-20 (33 per 100,00 population),
■ The overall male pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 pop-
followed by 21-to-24 and 25-to-29 (at 31 per 100,000 popu-
ulation was 2.69, which is more than double the rate for
lation).
females (1.11 per 100,000 population).
■ The highest pedestrian fatality rate by age and sex is for
males 55-to-59 at 4.60 per 100,000 population.

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590 3
 TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS PEDESTRIANS | 2019 DATA

Table 3
Pedestrians Killed and Injured in Traffic Crashes and Fatality and Injury Rates per 100,000 Population, by Age Group
and Sex, 2019
Male Female Total*
Age Group Killed Population Fatality Rate Killed Population Fatality Rate Killed Population Fatality Rate
<5 36 10,009,207 0.36 21 9,567,476 0.22 57 19,576,683 0.29
5-9 25 10,322,762 0.24 21 9,873,133 0.21 46 20,195,895 0.23
10-14 49 10,618,261 0.46 29 10,180,007 0.28 78 20,798,268 0.38
Children (≤14) 110 30,950,230 0.36 71 29,620,616 0.24 181 60,570,846 0.30
15-20 169 12,928,746 1.31 74 12,395,507 0.60 243 25,324,253 0.96
21-24 212 8,881,613 2.39 92 8,481,644 1.08 304 17,363,257 1.75
25-29 374 12,004,570 3.12 129 11,504,446 1.12 503 23,509,016 2.14
30-34 348 11,354,610 3.06 155 11,076,695 1.40 503 22,431,305 2.24
35-39 359 10,884,941 3.30 152 10,852,580 1.40 511 21,737,521 2.35
40-44 311 9,907,139 3.14 124 10,014,484 1.24 435 19,921,623 2.18
45-49 297 10,085,355 2.94 162 10,312,396 1.57 459 20,397,751 2.25
50-54 377 10,086,611 3.74 155 10,390,540 1.49 533 20,477,151 2.60
55-59 490 10,642,489 4.60 168 11,234,902 1.50 659 21,877,391 3.01
60-64 410 9,856,730 4.16 139 10,714,416 1.30 550 20,571,146 2.67
65-69 297 8,199,773 3.62 115 9,255,228 1.24 412 17,455,001 2.36
70-74 217 6,499,806 3.34 86 7,528,626 1.14 304 14,028,432 2.17
75-79 151 4,318,499 3.50 87 5,334,166 1.63 238 9,652,665 2.47
80+ 200 5,056,212 3.96 135 7,865,953 1.72 336 12,922,165 2.60
Ages 65+ 865 24,074,290 3.59 423 29,983,973 1.41 1,290 54,058,263 2.39
Total1 4,344 161,657,324 2.69 1,853 166,582,199 1.11 6,205 328,239,523 1.89
Male Female Total
Age Group Injured Population Injury Rate² Injured Population Injury Rate² Injured Population Injury Rate²
<5 1,000 10,009,207 6 ** 9,567,476 ** 1,000 19,576,683 6
5-9 2,000 10,322,762 17 1,000 9,873,133 11 3,000 20,195,895 14
10-14 2,000 10,618,261 22 2,000 10,180,007 19 4,000 20,798,268 21
Children (≤14) 5,000 30,950,230 15 3,000 29,620,616 12 8,000 60,570,846 14
15-20 4,000 12,928,746 33 4,000 12,395,507 33 8,000 25,324,253 33
21-24 3,000 8,881,613 30 3,000 8,481,644 32 5,000 17,363,257 31
25-29 4,000 12,004,570 31 4,000 11,504,446 31 7,000 23,509,016 31
30-34 4,000 11,354,610 32 2,000 11,076,695 22 6,000 22,431,305 27
35-39 4,000 10,884,941 33 3,000 10,852,580 23 6,000 21,737,521 28
40-44 3,000 9,907,139 27 2,000 10,014,484 21 5,000 19,921,623 24
45-49 2,000 10,085,355 20 2,000 10,312,396 20 4,000 20,397,751 20
50-54 3,000 10,086,611 28 2,000 10,390,540 20 5,000 20,477,151 24
55-59 3,000 10,642,489 33 3,000 11,234,902 24 6,000 21,877,391 28
60-64 3,000 9,856,730 27 2,000 10,714,416 18 5,000 20,571,146 22
65-69 2,000 8,199,773 27 2,000 9,255,228 19 4,000 17,455,001 22
70-74 1,000 6,499,806 15 1,000 7,528,626 19 2,000 14,028,432 17
75-79 1,000 4,318,499 20 1,000 5,334,166 13 2,000 9,652,665 16
80+ 1,000 5,056,212 21 1,000 7,865,953 10 2,000 12,922,165 14
Ages 65+ 5,000 24,074,290 21 5,000 29,983,973 15 10,000 54,058,263 18
Total3 41,000 161,657,324 26 34,000 166,582,199 21 76,000 328,239,523 23
Sources: FARS 2019 ARF; CRSS 2019; Population – Census Bureau
*Includes fatalities of unknown sex.
**Less than 500 injured; injury rate not shown.
¹ Includes fatalities of unknown age.
² Were calculated using injured estimates before rounding.
³ Injured totals may not equal sum of components due to independent rounding.

4 NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590
 PEDESTRIANS | 2019 DATA TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS

Alcohol
Alcohol involvement — for the driver and/or the pedestrian — killed or not. If more than one pedestrian was killed in a crash,
was reported in 46 percent of the traffic crashes that resulted the pedestrian with the highest BAC was used. If more than
in pedestrian fatalities in 2019. Alcohol involvement is defined one driver was involved in a crash, the driver with the highest
as whether alcohol was consumed by the driver and/or the BAC was used.
pedestrian prior to the crash; the presence of alcohol may or
may not be a contributing factor in the crash. “No alcohol” In 2019:
refers to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .00 grams per ■ An estimated 32 percent of fatal pedestrian traffic crashes

deciliter (g/dL). had a pedestrian fatality with a BAC of .08 g/dL or higher.
■ An estimated 13 percent of fatal pedestrian crashes had a
A total of 6,132 traffic crashes each had one or more pedestrian
driver involved with a BAC of .08 g/dL or higher. (Note: It
fatalities. Table 4 charts the estimated alcohol involvement for
is illegal in every State to drive with a BAC of .08 g/dL or
the pedestrians killed, by the alcohol involvement of all driv-
higher.)
ers involved in those 6,132 crashes, whether the drivers were

Table 4
Traffic Crashes Resulting in Pedestrian Fatalities, by Alcohol Involvement of Drivers and Pedestrians, 2019
Driver, No Alcohol, Driver, Alcohol-Impaired Driver,
BAC=.00 g/dL BAC=.01–.07 g/dL BAC=.08+ g/dL Total
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
Pedestrian, No Alcohol 3,331 54% 109 2% 448 7% 3,887 63%
Pedestrian, BAC=.01–.07 g/dL 252 4% 10 0% 50 1% 312 5%
Pedestrian, BAC=.08+ g/dL 1,568 26% 72 1% 293 5% 1,933 32%
Total Crashes 5,151 84% 191 3% 790 13% 6,132 100%
Source: FARS 2019 ARF
Note: The alcohol levels in this table were determined using the alcohol levels of the pedestrians killed and the involved drivers (killed or survived).

Table 5 shows information on the pedestrians killed in traffic In 2010 pedestrians killed in the 21-to-24 and 25-to-34 age
crashes, by age group and alcohol involvement, for 2010 and groups had the highest percentage with BACs of .08 g/dL or
2019. higher (49%) compared to other age groups. In 2019 pedestri-
ans in the 21-to-24 age group had the highest percentage with
An estimated 31 percent of pedestrians killed had BACs of BACs of .08 g/dL or higher (41%).
.08 g/dL or higher in 2019, compared to 33 percent in 2010.

Table 5
Pedestrians Killed in Traffic Crashes, by Age Group and Their BACs, 2010 and 2019
2010 2019
Percentage Percentage Percentage
With Percentage With With
No Alcohol Percentage With BAC = Percentage No Alcohol Percentage BAC = Percentage
Number of (BAC = With BAC = .01–.07 With BAC = Number of (BAC = With BAC = .01–.07 With BAC =
Age Group Fatalities .00 g/dL) .01+ g/dL g/dL .08+ g/dL Fatalities .00 g/dL) .01+ g/dL g/dL .08+ g/dL
<21 579 84% 16% 2% 14% 424 87% 13% 3% 10%
21-24 278 44% 56% 8% 49% 304 53% 47% 6% 41%
25-34 600 44% 56% 7% 49% 1,006 57% 43% 6% 38%
35-44 575 49% 51% 5% 46% 946 56% 44% 5% 38%
45-54 801 49% 51% 5% 46% 992 55% 45% 5% 40%
55-64 618 63% 37% 4% 33% 1,209 60% 40% 6% 35%
65-74 368 82% 18% 3% 14% 716 75% 25% 6% 20%
75-84 327 93% 7% 3% 5% 410 86% 14% 3% 11%
85+ 139 96% 4% 2% 3% 164 86% 14% 5% 9%
Total Killed* 4,302 62% 38% 5% 33% 6,205 64% 36% 5% 31%
Source: FARS 2010 Final File, 2019 ARF
*Includes pedestrians of unknown age.

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590 5
 TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS PEDESTRIANS | 2019 DATA

Crash Characteristics
Figure 1 contains information on crash characteristics (land ■ Time of day is divided into eight 3-hour time intervals start-
use, pedestrian location, light condition, and season and time of ing at midnight, and season is defined by months.
day) describing where and when pedestrian fatalities occurred
• During the winter months (January, February, and the
in 2019.
following December), more than one-third (35%) of
In 2019: pedestrian fatalities occurred from 6 to 8:59 p.m., fol-
lowed by 17 percent from 9 to 11:59 p.m.
■ More pedestrian fatalities occurred in urban areas (82%)
than rural areas (18%). • During the spring months March to May, the largest
group (29%) of pedestrian fatalities occurred from 9 to
■ Eighteen percent of the pedestrian fatalities occurred at
11:59 p.m., followed by 20 percent from 6 to 8:59 p.m.
intersections, 73 percent occurred at locations that were
not intersections, and the remaining 9 percent occurred • During the summer months June to August, more pedes-
at other locations including roadsides/shoulders, parking trian fatalities occurred from 9 to 11:59 p.m. (34%) than
lanes/zones, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, medians/crossing any other time, followed by 15 percent from midnight to
islands, driveway accesses, shared-use paths/trails, non- 2:59 a.m.
traffic way areas, and other sites.
• During the fall months September to November, 30 per-
■ More pedestrian fatalities occurred in the dark (76%) than cent of the pedestrian fatalities occurred from 6 to 8:59
in daylight (21%), dusk (2%), and dawn (2%). p.m.; the next largest group was 20 percent, during the
hours of 9 to 11:59 p.m.

Figure 1
Percentage of Pedestrian Fatalities in Relation to Land Use, Pedestrian Location, Light Condition, and Season and
Time of Day, 2019

Land Use Pedestrian Location* Light Condition

Other At Intersection Dawn 2% Dusk 2%
9% 18%
Rural Daylight
18% 21%

Urban Not At Dark

82% Intersection 76%
73%

Season and Time of Day Midnight–2:59 a.m.

Jan–Feb, Dec (Winter) 9% 3–5:59 a.m.
8% 9% 4%4% 14% 35% 17%
6–8:59 a.m.
Mar–May (Spring) 14% 13% 8% 6% 5% 6% 20% 29% 9–11:59 a.m.
Noon–2:59 p.m.
Jun–Aug (Summer) 15% 13% 6% 6% 6% 7% 13% 34% 3–5:59 p.m.
6–8:59 p.m.
Sep–Nov (Fall) 10% 10% 11% 4%4% 9% 30% 20% 9–11:59 p.m.

Source: FARS 2019 ARF

*Based on location of pedestrian struck at the time of the crash. “Other” includes sidewalk, bicycle lane, median/crossing island, parking lane/zone, shoulder/roadside, driveway
access, shared-use path, and non-traffic area, which may or may not have been at intersection, but were not distinguished by collected data. Thus, “At Intersection” and “Not at
Intersection” do not include those in the “Other” category that were at intersection or not at intersection.
Notes: Percentages may not add up to 100 percent due to independent rounding. Unknowns were removed before calculating percentages.

6 NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590
 PEDESTRIANS | 2019 DATA TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS

Time of Day and Day of Week

In Figure 2 the time of day is divided into eight 3-hour time ■ The highest weekday percentage (24%) occurred from 6 to
intervals starting at midnight, and day of week is defined as 8:59 p.m., followed by 20 percent from 9 to 11:59 p.m.
weekday (Monday 6 a.m. to Friday 5:59 p.m.) and weekend
■ The lowest weekday percentage (6%) occurred from 9 to
(Friday 6 p.m. to Monday 5:59 a.m.). Looking at the percent-
11:59 a.m. and noon to 2:59 p.m.
age of all traffic fatalities who were pedestrians by time of day
and day of week in 2019: ■ The highest weekend percentage (30%) occurred from 9 to
11:59 p.m., followed by 27 percent from 6 to 8:59 p.m.
■ The highest total percentage (26%) occurred from 6 to 8:59
p.m., followed by 24 percent from 9 to 11:59 p.m. ■ The lowest weekend percentage (2%) occurred from noon
to 2:59 p.m.
■ The lowest total percentage (5%) occurred from 9 to 11:59
a.m. and noon to 2:59 p.m.

Figure 2
Percentage of Pedestrian Fatalities, by Time of Day and Day of Week, 2019

8%
Midnight–2:59 a.m. 17%
12%
10%
3–5:59 a.m. 12%
11% Day of Week:
Weekday
12%
6–8:59 a.m. 4% Weekend
9% Total
6%
9–11:59 a.m. 3%
5%
6%
Noon–2:59 p.m. 2%
5%
12%
3–5:59 p.m. 5%
9%
24%
6–8:59 p.m. 27%
26%
20%
9–11:59 p.m. 30%
24%
5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

Source: FARS 2019 ARF

Weekday – Monday 6 a.m. to Friday 5:59 p.m.
Weekend – Friday 6 p.m. to Monday 5:59 a.m.
Note: Unknowns were removed before calculating percentages.

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590 7
 TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS PEDESTRIANS | 2019 DATA

Vehicle Type and Impact Point

Ninety percent (5,580) of the pedestrians were killed in motor In 2019:
vehicle traffic crashes that involved a single vehicle in 2019; 10 ■ Pedestrians who died in single-vehicle crashes were most
percent (625) were killed in multiple-vehicle crashes. One out likely to be struck by the front of the vehicles.
of every five pedestrians killed (20%) were struck in crashes
that involved hit-and-run drivers. Ninety-two percent of ■ Pedestrians who died in single-vehicle crashes involving
the pedestrians killed by hit-and-run drivers were in single-­ passenger vehicles (Passenger cars and light trucks includ-
vehicle crashes. ing SUVs, pickups, and vans) were more likely to be hit by
the front of these vehicles as compared to crashes involving
Of the 5,580 pedestrians killed in single-vehicle crashes, 97 large trucks or buses.
percent (5,403) were killed in crashes where the first harm-
■ Pedestrians who died in single-vehicle crashes involving a
ful event was collision with a pedestrian. Table 6 presents the
bus had the highest percentage of right-side impacts and
5,403 pedestrians killed in these crashes by vehicle type and
rear impacts.
location of the initial impact on the striking vehicle.

Table 6
Pedestrians Killed in Single-Vehicle Crashes Where the First Harmful Event Was Collision With a Pedestrian, by Vehicle
Type and Initial Point of Impact on Vehicle, 2019
Initial Point of Impact on Vehicle

Front Right Side Left Side Rear Other/Unknown Total

Vehicle Type Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

Passenger Car 1,947 90.6% 53 2.5% 30 1.4% 16 0.7% 103 4.8% 2,149 100.0%

Light Truck* 2,069 89.2% 45 1.9% 39 1.7% 39 1.7% 128 5.5% 2,320 100.0%

–SUV 967 90.3% 17 1.6% 22 2.1% 17 1.6% 48 4.5% 1,071 100.0%

–Pickup 826 88.9% 24 2.6% 16 1.7% 15 1.6% 48 5.2% 929 100.0%

–Van 254 90.7% 4 1.4% 1 0.4% 6 2.1% 15 5.4% 280 100.0%

Large Truck 257 72.6% 26 7.3% 14 4.0% 21 5.9% 36 10.2% 354 100.0%

Bus 34 66.7% 7 13.7% 1 2.0% 4 7.8% 5 9.8% 51 100.0%

Other/Unknown Vehicle 277 52.4% 4 0.8% 2 0.4% 0 0.0% 246 46.5% 529 100.0%

Total 4,584 84.8% 135 2.5% 86 1.6% 80 1.5% 518 9.6% 5,403 100.0%
Source: FARS 2019 ARF
*Includes other/unknown light-truck vehicle types.

8 NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590
 PEDESTRIANS | 2019 DATA TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS

State
Figure 3 contains a color-coded map of the percentage of total seasonal tourism, such as Florida, and cities with large influx
traffic fatalities who were pedestrians by State in 2019. Note of daily commuters, such as Washington, DC, have at times a
that for this section as well as the following section on fatali- substantially larger population than is reflected in their num-
ties by city, the populations of States and cities can vary greatly bers of residents.
from the recorded resident population. States with substantial

Figure 3
Percentage of Total Fatalities Who Were Pedestrians, by State, 2019

18.7%
(WA) 6.4% 10.2%
9.2% 5.0%
(MT) (VT) (ME)
(ND) 12.9%
16.6%
5.4% (MN) 9.9% (NH)
(OR) 6.9% 9.9% 28.8%
(ID) 23.1% (MA)
7.5% (SD) (WI) 14.3% (NY)
14.0% (RI)
(WY) (MI) 13.9%
6.3% 21.7% (CT)
8.1% (PA)
20.4% (IA) 10.8% 31.3% (NJ)
(NE)
(NV) 15.3% 17.1% 9.0% (OH)
11.9%
(UT) 12.2% (IL) (IN) 14.8% 24.2% (DE)
27.0% (CO) 3.9% 12.4% 10.0% (WV) (VA)
(KS) (MO) 23.6% (MD)
(CA) (KY)
15.2%(NC) 39.1% (DC)
13.3% 13.1%(TN)
21.6% 19.6% 12.1% 16.0%
(AZ) (OK)
(NM) (AR) (SC)
15.8%
10.1% 12.8%
(GA)
16.2% (MS) (AL)
18.0% (LA)
(TX) 22.4%
9.0% (FL)
(AK)

<10.9%
34.6%
10.9%–20.4%
(PR)
>20.4%
33.3%
(HI)

Source: FARS 2019 ARF

Table 7 presents numbers of total and pedestrian fatalities, the ■ The percentages of pedestrian fatalities (out of total traffic
percentage of total fatalities who were pedestrians, population, fatalities) in States ranged from a low of 3.9 percent (Kan-
and the fatality rates per 100,000 population for pedestrian sas) to a high of 39.1 percent (District of Columbia), com-
fatalities for each State and the District of Columbia in 2019. pared to 17.2 percent nationwide.
Also included in Table 7 is Puerto Rico, which is not included ■ The highest pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 population
in the overall U.S. total. was in New Mexico (3.96), followed by Florida (3.32) and
In 2019: Delaware (3.29). The national fatality rate in 2019 was 1.89.
■ The number of pedestrian fatalities was highest in Califor- ■ Vermont had the lowest pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000
nia (972), followed by Florida (713) and Texas (649). population, 0.48, followed by Kansas (0.55) and North
Dakota (0.66).
■ Vermont (3) had the fewest pedestrian fatalities, followed
by North Dakota (5) and Alaska (6).

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590 9
 TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS PEDESTRIANS | 2019 DATA

Table 7
Total and Pedestrian Fatalities, and Pedestrian Fatality Rates, by State, 2019
Pedestrian Fatalities
Percentage of Pedestrian Fatality Rate
State Total Fatalities Number Total Fatalities Population per 100,000 Population
Alabama 930 119 12.8% 4,903,185 2.43
Alaska 67 6 9.0% 731,545 0.82
Arizona 981 212 21.6% 7,278,717 2.91
Arkansas 505 61 12.1% 3,017,804 2.02
California 3,606 972 27.0% 39,512,223 2.46
Colorado 596 73 12.2% 5,758,736 1.27
Connecticut 249 54 21.7% 3,565,287 1.51
Delaware 132 32 24.2% 973,764 3.29
District of Columbia 23 9 39.1% 705,749 1.28
Florida 3,183 713 22.4% 21,477,737 3.32
Georgia 1,491 236 15.8% 10,617,423 2.22
Hawaii 108 36 33.3% 1,415,872 2.54
Idaho 224 12 5.4% 1,787,065 0.67
Illinois 1,009 173 17.1% 12,671,821 1.37
Indiana 809 73 9.0% 6,732,219 1.08
Iowa 336 21 6.3% 3,155,070 0.67
Kansas 411 16 3.9% 2,913,314 0.55
Kentucky 732 73 10.0% 4,467,673 1.63
Louisiana 727 118 16.2% 4,648,794 2.54
Maine 157 16 10.2% 1,344,212 1.19
Maryland 521 123 23.6% 6,045,680 2.03
Massachusetts 334 77 23.1% 6,892,503 1.12
Michigan 985 141 14.3% 9,986,857 1.41
Minnesota 364 47 12.9% 5,639,632 0.83
Mississippi 643 65 10.1% 2,976,149 2.18
Missouri 880 109 12.4% 6,137,428 1.78
Montana 184 17 9.2% 1,068,778 1.59
Nebraska 248 20 8.1% 1,934,408 1.03
Nevada 304 62 20.4% 3,080,156 2.01
New Hampshire 101 10 9.9% 1,359,711 0.74
New Jersey 559 175 31.3% 8,882,190 1.97
New Mexico 424 83 19.6% 2,096,829 3.96
New York 931 268 28.8% 19,453,561 1.38
North Carolina 1,373 209 15.2% 10,488,084 1.99
North Dakota 100 5 5.0% 762,062 0.66
Ohio 1,153 124 10.8% 11,689,100 1.06
Oklahoma 640 85 13.3% 3,956,971 2.15
Oregon 489 81 16.6% 4,217,737 1.92
Pennsylvania 1,059 147 13.9% 12,801,989 1.15
Rhode Island 57 8 14.0% 1,059,361 0.76
South Carolina 1,001 160 16.0% 5,148,714 3.11
South Dakota 102 7 6.9% 884,659 0.79
Tennessee 1,135 149 13.1% 6,829,174 2.18
Texas 3,615 649 18.0% 28,995,881 2.24
Utah 248 38 15.3% 3,205,958 1.19
Vermont 47 3 6.4% 623,989 0.48
Virginia 831 123 14.8% 8,535,519 1.44
Washington 519 97 18.7% 7,614,893 1.27
West Virginia 260 31 11.9% 1,792,147 1.73
Wisconsin 566 56 9.9% 5,822,434 0.96
Wyoming 147 11 7.5% 578,759 1.90
U.S. Total 36,096 6,205 17.2% 328,239,523 1.89
Puerto Rico 289 100 34.6% 3,193,694 3.13
Sources: FARS 2019 ARF; Population – Census Bureau

10 NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590
 PEDESTRIANS | 2019 DATA TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS

City
For each city with a population of 500,000 or greater in 2019,
Table 8 presents numbers of total and pedestrian fatalities, the
percentage of total fatalities who were pedestrians, popula-
tion, and the fatality rates per 100,000 population for total and
pedestrian traffic fatalities.

In 2019:
The pedestrian fatality rates of major cities were generally
higher than the national average of 1.89 per 100,000 popula-
tion. Of the 37 cities listed, 8 had lower fatality rates.
■ The number of pedestrian fatalities was highest in Los
Angeles (133), followed by New York (118), Phoenix (81)
and Houston (81).
■ Mesa (8) had the fewest numbers of pedestrian fatalities,
Washington, DC, and Boston had the next lowest with 9
pedestrian fatalities in each.
■ The percentages of pedestrian fatalities (out of total traf-
fic fatalities) ranged from a low of 18.2 percent (Mesa) to a
high of 55.1 percent (New York).
■ Albuquerque had the highest pedestrian fatality rate per
100,000 population (7.49), followed by Tucson (7.48).
■ Washington, DC, had the lowest pedestrian fatality rate per
100,000 population (1.28), followed by Boston (1.30).

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590 11
 TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS PEDESTRIANS | 2019 DATA

Table 8
Total and Pedestrian Fatalities in Cities With Populations of 500,000 or Greater, and Fatality Rates, 2019
Pedestrian Fatalities Fatality Rate per
100,000 Population
Total Percentage of
City Fatalities Number Total Fatalities Population Total Pedestrian
New York, NY 214 118 55.1% 8,336,817 2.57 1.42
Los Angeles, CA 267 133 49.8% 3,979,576 6.71 3.34
Chicago, IL 141 51 36.2% 2,693,976 5.23 1.89
Houston, TX 256 81 31.6% 2,320,268 11.03 3.49
Phoenix, AZ 205 81 39.5% 1,680,992 12.20 4.82
Philadelphia, PA 90 28 31.1% 1,584,064 5.68 1.77
San Antonio, TX 151 58 38.4% 1,547,253 9.76 3.75
San Diego, CA 88 41 46.6% 1,423,851 6.18 2.88
Dallas, TX 182 59 32.4% 1,343,573 13.55 4.39
San Jose, CA 79 29 36.7% 1,021,795 7.73 2.84
Austin, TX 91 34 37.4% 978,908 9.30 3.47
Jacksonville, FL 149 41 27.5% 911,507 16.35 4.50
Fort Worth, TX 95 20 21.1% 909,585 10.44 2.20
Columbus, OH 74 23 31.1% 898,553 8.24 2.56
Charlotte, NC 73 28 38.4% 885,708 8.24 3.16
San Francisco, CA 39 18 46.2% 881,549 4.42 2.04
Indianapolis, IN 100 20 20.0% 876,384 11.41 2.28
Seattle, WA 24 13 54.2% 753,675 3.18 1.72
Denver, CO 61 16 26.2% 727,211 8.39 2.20
Washington, DC 23 9 39.1% 705,749 3.26 1.28
Boston, MA 20 9 45.0% 692,600 2.89 1.30
El Paso, TX 69 29 42.0% 681,728 10.12 4.25
Nashville, TN 97 29 29.9% 670,820 14.46 4.32
Detroit, MI 115 28 24.3% 670,031 17.16 4.18
Oklahoma City, OK 83 24 28.9% 655,057 12.67 3.66
Portland, OR 49 16 32.7% 654,741 7.48 2.44
Las Vegas, NV 33 12 36.4% 651,319 5.07 1.84
Memphis, TN 130 36 27.7% 651,073 19.97 5.53
Louisville, KY 94 25 26.6% 617,638 15.22 4.05
Baltimore, MD 44 18 40.9% 593,490 7.41 3.03
Milwaukee, WI 55 11 20.0% 590,157 9.32 1.86
Albuquerque, NM 101 42 41.6% 560,513 18.02 7.49
Tucson, AZ 107 41 38.3% 548,073 19.52 7.48
Fresno, CA 45 17 37.8% 531,576 8.47 3.20
Mesa, AZ 44 8 18.2% 518,012 8.49 1.54
Sacramento, CA 50 17 34.0% 513,624 9.73 3.31
Atlanta, GA 86 23 26.7% 506,811 16.97 4.54
Sources: FARS 2019 ARF; Population – Census Bureau
Note: Sorted by highest to lowest population.

12 NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590
 PEDESTRIANS | 2019 DATA TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS

Additional data visualization tools for fact sheets can be found Table 9
at [Link] Total Fatalities and Fatalities to People on Personal
htm#. Conveyances Involved in Traffic Crashes, 2010–2019
Fatalities to People on Personal
Conveyances
Appendix Total Percentage of
Year Fatalities Number Total Fatalities
In this fact sheet people killed in motor vehicle traffic
2010 32,999 127 0.4%
crashes who were on “personal conveyances” are not clas-
sified as pedestrians. “Personal conveyances” are defined 2011 32,479 128 0.4%
as roller skates, inline skates, skateboards, baby strollers, 2012 33,782 153 0.5%
scooters, toy wagons, motorized skateboards, motorized toy 2013 32,893 132 0.4%
cars, Segway-style devices, motorized and non-motorized 2014 32,744 158 0.5%
wheelchairs, and scooters for those with disabilities. Table 9 2015 35,484 160 0.5%
presents the distribution of people killed on personal con- 2016 37,806 176 0.5%
veyances as a percentage of total motor vehicle fatalities for 2017 37,473 158 0.4%
each year in the past decade. FARS does not contain infor- 2018 36,835 150 0.4%
mation about the type of personal conveyances used by 2019 36,096 196 0.5%
those killed in traffic crashes. Source: FARS 2010–2018 Final File, 2019 ARF

Fatality Analysis Reporting System

FARS contains data on every fatal motor vehicle traffic crash The updated final counts for the previous data year will be
within the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto reflected with the release of the recent year’s ARF. For exam-
Rico. To be included in FARS, a traffic crash must involve a ple, along with the release of the 2019 ARF, the 2018 Final
motor vehicle traveling on a public trafficway that results in File was released to replace the 2018 ARF. The final fatality
the death of a vehicle occupant or a nonoccupant within 30 count in motor vehicle traffic crashes for 2018 was 36,835,
days of the crash. The Annual Report File (ARF) is the FARS which was updated from 36,560 in the 2018 ARF. The num-
data file associated with the most recent available year, which ber of pedestrian fatalities from the 2018 Final File was 6,374,
is subject to change when it is finalized the following year to which was updated from 6,283 from the 2018 ARF.
the final version known as the Final File. The additional time
between the ARF and the Final File provides the opportunity The 2016 and 2017 Final Files have been amended, but this
for submission of important variable data requiring outside amendment did not change the overall number of fatal
sources, which may lead to changes in the final counts. More crashes or fatalities.
information on FARS can be found at [Link]
crash-data-systems/fatality-analysis-reporting-system.

Crash Report Sampling System Methodology Change for Estimating People Injured
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA) NCSA changed the methodology of estimating people non-
redesigned the nationally representative sample of police- fatally injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes. The new
reported traffic crashes, which estimates the number of approach combines people nonfatally injured from both
police-reported injury and property-damage-only crashes FARS and NASS GES/CRSS. This is done by extracting
in the United States. The new system, called CRSS, replaced people nonfatally injured in fatal crashes from FARS with
the National Automotive Sampling System (NASS) Gen- people nonfatally injured in police-reported injury crashes
eral Estimates System (GES) in 2016. More information on from NASS GES/CRSS. The old approach extracted people
CRSS can be found at [Link]/crash-data-systems/ nonfatally injured from only NASS GES/CRSS, regardless
crash-report-sampling-system-crss. of crash severity. This change in methodology caused some
estimates of people injured to change for prior years.

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590 13
 TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS PEDESTRIANS | 2019 DATA

Important Safety Reminders

For Pedestrians: For Drivers:

■ Walk on a sidewalk or path when one is available. ■ Look for pedestrians everywhere. Pedestrians may not
■ If no sidewalk or path is available, walk on the shoulder, be walking where they should be or may be hard to see—
facing traffic. Stay alert; don’t be distracted by electronic especially in poorly lit conditions, including dusk/dawn/
devices, including smart phones, MP3 players, and other night and poor weather.
devices that take your eyes and ears off the road. ■ Always stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk or where
■ Be cautious night and day when sharing the road with pedestrian crosswalk signs are posted.
vehicles. Never assume a driver sees you (he or she could ■ Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. They may be
be distracted, under the influence of alcohol and/or stopped to allow pedestrians to cross the street.
drugs, or just not see you). Make eye contact with driv- ■ Slow down and look for pedestrians. Be prepared to stop
ers as they approach. when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk.
■ Be predictable. Cross streets at crosswalks or intersec- ■ Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
tions when possible. This is where drivers expect pedes-
■ Follow the speed limit; slow down around pedestrians.
trians.
■ Stay focused and slow down where children may be
■ If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate
present, like school zones and neighborhoods.
a well-lit area, wait for a gap in traffic that allows you
enough time to cross safely, and continue to watch for
traffic as you cross.
■ Be visible. Wear bright clothing during the day, and wear — NHTSA’s Research and Program Development
reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.
■ Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair
your judgment and coordination.

The suggested APA format citation for this document is:

National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2021, May). Pedestri-
ans: 2019 data (Traffic Safety Facts. Report No. DOT HS 813
079). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For More Information:

Motor vehicle traffic crash data are available from the National Center for Statistics and
Analysis (NCSA), NSA-230. NCSA can be contacted at NCSARequests@[Link] or 800-934-
8517. NCSA programs and data can be found at [Link]/data. Additional data tools,
such as the State Traffic Safety Information (STSI), Fatality and Injury Reporting System
Tool (FIRST), and more can be found at [Link] To report a motor vehicle
safety-related problem or to inquire about safety information, contact the Vehicle Safety
Hotline at 888-327-4236 or [Link]/VehicleComplaint/.

Other fact sheets available from NCSA are Alcohol-Impaired Driving, Bicyclists and Other
Cyclists, Children, Large Trucks, Motorcycles, Occupant Protection in Passenger Vehicles,
Older Population, Passenger Vehicles, Rural/Urban Comparison of Traffic Fatalities, School-
Transportation-Related Crashes, Speeding, State Alcohol-Impaired-Driving Estimates, State
Traffic Data, Summary of Motor Vehicle Crashes, and Young Drivers. Detailed data on motor
vehicle traffic crashes are published annually in Traffic Safety Facts: A Compilation of Motor
Vehicle Crash Data. The fact sheets and Traffic Safety Facts annual report can be found at
[Link]

15138-050621-v5a 14 NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590