A new study from Siegfried & Jensen highlights an urgent and growing problem on America’s roads: pedestrians are facing higher risks of death and injury than ever before. In 2023, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 7,314 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes. That number makes up nearly 18% of the nation’s 40,901 road fatalities, and another 67,850 pedestrians were injured, accounting for 2.9% of all traffic-related injuries.

While cars dominate the headlines when it comes to roadway danger, this research reminds us that those on foot are among the most vulnerable and the least protected road users.

The Most Dangerous States

California, Texas, and Florida, three of the most populous states, recorded the highest raw numbers of pedestrian deaths, with 1,104, 800, and 751 fatalities, respectively. Yet, looking deeper, the data shows troubling patterns in less-populated states.

New Mexico led the nation per capita, with a shocking 4.93 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 residents. Arizona (3.57), South Carolina (3.41), Florida (3.21), and Nevada (3.18) followed close behind. These states, many located in the South and Southwest, share commonalities: sprawling development, wide high-speed roads, and limited pedestrian infrastructure.

This mix creates a deadly environment where pedestrians face higher odds of being struck while walking through car-dominated landscapes.

When Pedestrians Are Most at Risk

Seasonal analysis reveals that the fall and early winter months are the deadliest for pedestrians. Nearly 30% of all fatalities occurred between October and December, when shorter daylight hours, heavier holiday traffic, and increased nighttime activity combine to create perilous conditions.

Fatalities peaked in December (741 deaths), followed by November (733) and October (712). In contrast, summer months like June and July saw fewer deaths, despite higher numbers of people outdoors.

This seasonal disparity shows that darkness, not warmer weather, drives danger. Safety campaigns must therefore target the late-year period with better lighting, more visible crosswalks, and driver enforcement measures.

Who Is Dying — and Why

• Gender: Men represented over 70% of pedestrian fatalities in 2023, continuing a long-term trend tied to riskier behaviors such as late-night walking, alcohol use, and greater exposure to high-risk environments.
• Age: Adults between 25 and 64 years old made up 67% of fatalities, with the highest tolls seen in the 35–44 and 55–64 groups. These figures counter the assumption that only seniors or children are at risk; the reality is that working-age adults face the greatest danger.
• Alcohol: Perhaps the most overlooked factor—28.8% of pedestrians killed were legally intoxicated at the time of their crash, compared to just 17% of drivers in those same incidents. This sobering fact reveals that drunk walking is a serious, under-addressed issue.

A Call to Action

The study’s authors emphasize that pedestrian deaths are preventable. Solutions include lowering speed limits, redesigning streets for walkability, adding better crosswalk lighting, and launching targeted education campaigns addressing both drivers and pedestrians.

“Pedestrian safety isn’t just about avoiding drunk drivers; it’s about recognizing who is at risk, when they’re at risk, and why,” the report concludes. “If states prioritize safer infrastructure and smarter campaigns, thousands of lives could be saved each year.”