Rise of Nighttime Pedestrian and Cyclist Deaths

“Pedestrians and vehicles travel together along stretches of U.S. 90 in Escambia County, just west of Pensacola, Fla. Six lanes of traffic moving at high speeds make a precarious adventure for people walking to nearby big-box retailers and restaurants during the day. Like other roadways, the highway is much more dangerous after the sun goes down. During the three-year period ending in 2017, some 70 percent of all pedestrian and cyclist fatalities in Escambia County occurred in dark, unlighted conditions. Those numbers aren’t all that uncommon in Florida or in many other parts of the country.

“Pedestrian deaths have trended up nationally in recent years, and federal data shows that an alarming number are happening at night. Between 2010 and 2017, annual nighttime pedestrian and cyclist deaths climbed 46 percent in the United States. Daytime fatalities also rose, but only by 15 percent.”

A recent article in Governing Magazine examined the growing nighttime pedestrian/cyclist fatality trend.

To access the complete Governing report, please visit:

Governing: Nighttime Pedestrian and Cyclist Deaths Rose 46% Since 2010 (January 2019)

Related reports:

Governing: Pedestrian, Cyclist Fatality Data By Lighting Conditions

NHTSA: Pedestrian Safety

NHTSA: Bicycle Safety

Pedestrian & Bicycle Information Center: Pedestrian and Bicyclist Crash Statistics