Why Are So Many More Pedestrians Dying in the U.S.? | The Daily

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily,” the rise in pedestrian fatalities in the United States is explored. After decades of decline, pedestrian traffic deaths have been increasing, particularly at night. The investigation into this alarming trend involves examining various theories, including the impact of smartphones on distracted driving. Researchers are also trying to identify unique factors in the U.S. that could explain the increase in pedestrian fatalities, which is not observed in other industrialized countries.

Main Takeaways

Rise in Pedestrian Fatalities

• Pedestrian traffic deaths in the U.S. have risen after decades of decline, posing a puzzling trend.
• The increase in pedestrian fatalities, particularly at night, has become a major concern.
• The rise in pedestrian fatalities in America since 2009 is primarily attributable to deaths occurring after sunset.

Impact of Smartphones on Distracted Driving

• Introduction of iPhone in 2007 led to ubiquitous use of smartphones, introducing new distractions in cars.
• Proliferation of technology in vehicles with multiple touch screens and buttons increases distraction.
• American drivers use smartphones more while driving compared to other countries.
• Automatic transmission vehicles in the US allow drivers to use smartphones while driving, unlike manual transmission vehicles in other countries.
• Manual transmission vehicles in Europe make it physically difficult to use smartphones while driving.
• Majority of cars in the US are automatic transmission, while in Europe, 70-75% are manual transmission.

Distracted Driving in the Evening

• Distracted driving is most common in the evening, potentially due to coordinating after-work activities.
• Data suggests that distracted driving is more prevalent in the evening.
• Evening time may be when people coordinate post-work activities, leading to increased distracted driving.

Factors Unique to the U.S.

• Researchers are trying to identify factors unique to the U.S. that could explain the increase in pedestrian fatalities, a phenomenon not observed in other industrialized countries.
• The Sun Belt regions, such as Texas and Florida, have historically bad pedestrian safety records due to their development in the auto age, with a lack of pedestrian infrastructure and strong transit networks.
• Exposure to danger is higher in places built around cars rather than pedestrians, leading to an increase in pedestrian deaths as more people move to these areas.
• Florida’s pedestrian deaths have increased by about 70% since 2009, with cities like Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, and Daytona Beach ranking in the top 10 most dangerous for pedestrian safety.
• The trend of rising pedestrian deaths is driven more by working-age people (18-64) than older individuals.
• Homelessness is rising in many American cities, with a significant number of homeless pedestrians being killed in accidents, especially in cities like Los Angeles.
• Lower-income people are moving into suburban environments with inadequate pedestrian infrastructure, leading to increased exposure to dangerous roads and potential pedestrian fatalities.
• Pedestrian fatalities are declining in downtown areas but rising in suburban environments, indicating that vulnerable populations are most affected.

Transportation System and Road Design

• During the pandemic, despite fewer people driving, pedestrian fatalities increased, highlighting the underlying issues with the transportation system.
• During the pandemic, with fewer cars on the road, remaining drivers felt comfortable driving fast and recklessly, leading to deadly consequences.
• The system is not designed to protect pedestrians or prioritize safety, as seen in the lack of safe road design and laws prioritizing safety over speed.
• Other countries produce safer outcomes by investing in safe road design and prioritizing safety in laws and regulations.
• To reduce pedestrian fatalities in the US, there needs to be a cultural change in how roads are designed and used.

Summary

Rise in Pedestrian Fatalities

After decades of decline, pedestrian traffic deaths in the United States have been rising, particularly at night. Since 2009, the increase in pedestrian fatalities is primarily attributed to deaths occurring after sunset. This trend has become a major concern and has prompted an investigation into the factors contributing to it.

Impact of Smartphones on Distracted Driving

The introduction of smartphones, especially after the launch of the iPhone in 2007, has led to their ubiquitous use in cars. This has introduced new distractions for drivers, contributing to the rise in pedestrian fatalities. In the US, the proliferation of technology in vehicles with multiple touch screens and buttons further increases distraction. American drivers use smartphones more while driving compared to other countries, and the prevalence of automatic transmission vehicles allows drivers to use smartphones easily, unlike in countries where manual transmission vehicles are more common.

Distracted Driving in the Evening

Distracted driving is most common in the evening, potentially due to coordinating after-work activities. Data suggests that distracted driving is more prevalent during this time, possibly because people are engaged in coordinating post-work activities while driving, leading to increased distractions and a higher risk of accidents.

Factors Unique to the U.S.

Researchers are trying to identify factors unique to the United States that could explain the increase in pedestrian fatalities, a phenomenon not observed in other industrialized countries. The Sun Belt regions, such as Texas and Florida, have historically had poor pedestrian safety records due to their development in the auto age, with a lack of pedestrian infrastructure and strong transit networks. This, along with the higher exposure to danger in areas built around cars rather than pedestrians, contributes to the increase in pedestrian deaths. Additionally, the rise in pedestrian fatalities is driven more by working-age people and the presence of homeless individuals on dangerous roads at night, highlighting the need for attention to these specific issues.

Transportation System and Road Design

The transportation system and road design in the United States play a significant role in the rise of pedestrian fatalities. During the pandemic, despite fewer people driving, pedestrian fatalities increased, indicating underlying issues with the transportation system. The lack of safe road design and laws prioritizing safety over speed contribute to the problem. In contrast, other countries invest in safe road design and prioritize safety in laws and regulations, resulting in safer outcomes. To address the issue of pedestrian fatalities in the US, a cultural change is needed in how roads are designed and used, with a focus on prioritizing pedestrian safety.

Conclusion

The rise in pedestrian fatalities in the United States is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors. While distracted driving, particularly due to smartphone use, plays a significant role, other factors such as inadequate pedestrian infrastructure, risky transportation systems, and a lack of emphasis on safety in road design and laws also contribute to the problem. To reduce pedestrian fatalities, there needs to be a comprehensive approach that addresses these factors and prioritizes pedestrian safety in transportation planning and policy-making.