California Pedestrian Accident Statistics

January 11, 2023 Posted In Pedestrian Accident

Pedestrian accidents are a serious problem, and fatalities are trending up throughout the country and in California. 

Pedestrian Accident Injury and Fatality Data

A study completed in 2019 reports that California is the 16th most dangerous state for pedestrians. Over 7,000 pedestrians were killed between 2008 to 2018, increasing the state’s pedestrian fatality rate by 38.4 percent. In the same span of 10 years, 22 percent of California’s traffic fatalities were pedestrians, while nationwide, it was 14 percent. 

The California Office of Traffic Safety reported the following data for 2018:

• No state has more pedestrian deaths on its roadways than California.
• 893 pedestrians were killed, a 26% increase from 2014.
• More than 14,000 pedestrians were injured.
• Pedestrian deaths rose 26% between 2014 and 2018.
• Nearly 7,500 pedestrians have died between 2009 and 2018.
• California’s pedestrian fatality rate is almost 25% higher than the national average.

The latest data for 2019 reports the following:

• 972 pedestrians were killed in 2019. 
• Pedestrian fatalities decreased 0.6% from 978 in 2018. 
• Pedestrian fatalities aged 65 and older increased by 1.9% from 218 in 2018 to 222 in 2019.
• Bicycle fatalities decreased by 19.5% from 165 in 2018 to 133 in 2019.

Nationwide Pedestrian Accident Statistics

The latest pedestrian accident statistics in the U.S. are as follows for 2020: 

• On average, a pedestrian was killed every 81 minutes and injured every 10 minutes in traffic crashes in 2020.
• There were 6,516 pedestrians killed in traffic accidents, a 3.9-percent increase from 2019.
• There were estimated to be more than 50,000 pedestrians injured, a 28-percent decrease from 2019.
• Nearly 1 in 4 pedestrians killed were struck by hit-and-run drivers.
• 16% of children ages 14 and younger killed in traffic accidents were pedestrians.
• 71% of the pedestrians killed were males.
• Alcohol was involved in 47% of all fatal pedestrian crashes.
• More pedestrian fatalities occurred in urban areas (82%).
• 26% of pedestrian fatalities occurred at night from 6 to 8:59 p.m. in 2020.
• Almost 90% of pedestrian fatalities happened in single-vehicle accidents.

Safety Tips

For Drivers

• Slow down in pedestrian areas.
• Look for eye contact from the pedestrian.
• Don’t pass when a car ahead of you stops.
• Observe school crossing signs and school bus rules.
• Only drive while sober. 
• Take the weather into account.
• Be patient with seniors and other people with challenges.
• Follow the speed limit. 
• Be extra cautious when backing up. 

For Pedestrians

• Don’t expect drivers to see you.
• Stay far away from the curb when you stop for cars.
• Look around parked vehicles before crossing.
• Use crosswalks and stay observant.
• Wear brightly colored clothes and carry a flashlight at night.
• Stay alert and off your phone to avoid distractions. 

Rights of Pedestrian Accident Victims

Pedestrians injured or the family of a pedestrian killed in an accident has the right to hold the at-fault party accountable. If you or a loved one has been severely injured, speak to a Riverside Pedestrian Accident Attorney today.