Pedestrian Safety in 2024 | 7,080 Deaths and 71,000+ Injuries | NHTSA
NHTSA reports that 7,080 pedestrians were killed and more than 71,000 were injured in traffic crashes nationwide in 2024. That means a pedestrian was killed every 74 minutes on U.S. roads.
While the causes of pedestrian crashes vary, the risks are often predictable. Speed, low visibility, turning vehicles, crosswalk conflicts, and nighttime conditions all increase the danger for people walking near traffic.
You can view the full NHTSA pedestrian safety page here: NHTSA Pedestrian Safety.
Key Takeaways From NHTSA
- 7,080 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in 2024
- More than 71,000 pedestrians were injured nationwide in 2024
- A pedestrian was killed every 74 minutes in 2024
- NHTSA emphasizes that pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility among drivers, pedestrians, and communities
- Many pedestrian crashes happen in recurring, preventable situations
Key Risk Factors in Pedestrian Crashes
NHTSA’s pedestrian safety guidance repeatedly points to a few recurring risk factors that make crashes more likely or more severe.
Speed
NHTSA urges drivers to slow down because speeding puts pedestrians at greater risk and reduces the time available to react.
Low Visibility
NHTSA warns drivers to use extra caution at night and in bad weather because pedestrians can be harder to see and may appear suddenly.
Crossing Mid Block
NHTSA specifically advises pedestrians not to cross mid block and instead use crosswalks or intersections whenever possible.
Turning and Backing Vehicles
Drivers turning through crosswalks or backing from driveways and parking lots are involved in several of NHTSA’s common pedestrian crash scenarios.
What the Data and Guidance Show
NHTSA’s pedestrian safety page is designed as a national awareness resource, but the patterns are clear. Many pedestrian crashes happen in the same types of situations again and again: a vehicle turns without yielding, a driver fails to see someone in a crosswalk, a pedestrian crosses outside an intersection, or visibility is reduced by darkness, weather, or obstructed sight lines.
That makes pedestrian safety more than a policy issue. It is also a visibility and reaction-time issue. The sooner a driver can see a person walking, the more time they have to slow down, stop, and avoid a crash.
Common Crash Types Identified by NHTSA
NHTSA lists eight common crash types between pedestrians and vehicles:
- A vehicle turns at an intersection and fails to yield
- A pedestrian steps into the roadway mid block
- A pedestrian walks or jogs along the road with traffic behind them
- A driver backs from a driveway, private road, or parking lot without seeing a pedestrian
- A pedestrian crosses against the signal
- A pedestrian remains in the crosswalk after signals change
- A second vehicle cannot see a pedestrian because another vehicle blocks the view
- A pedestrian crosses near a commercial bus stop after exiting the bus
NHTSA Safety Tips for Pedestrians
- Follow signs and signals
- Use sidewalks whenever available
- If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible
- Do not cross mid block. Cross at crosswalks or intersections
- If no crosswalk is available, choose a well lit area with the best view of traffic
- Watch for vehicles entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots
- Stay alert and watch the actions of drivers and others around you
- Do not rely on others to keep you safe. Make eye contact with drivers when possible and wait for a full stop before crossing
NHTSA Safety Tips for Drivers
- Slow down
- Look out for pedestrians everywhere and reduce blind spots
- Use extra caution at night and in bad weather
- Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks
- Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or entering a crosswalk
- Never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk
- Follow the speed limit, especially in school zones, neighborhoods, and areas with people walking nearby
- Be extra cautious when backing up
How NHTSA Approaches Pedestrian Safety
NHTSA says its pedestrian safety efforts follow a Safe System approach built around five components:
Safe People
Encourage safe, responsible behavior and help people reach their destination unharmed.
Safe Speeds
Promote safer speeds through outreach and enforcement.
Safe Roads
Design roadways that better accommodate human mistakes and injury tolerances.
Safe Vehicles
Support vehicle designs and features that help prevent crashes and reduce harm.
Post Crash Care
Improve survivability through fast emergency response and safer incident management.
Visibility Is One of the Most Preventable Risk Factors
Unlike roadway redesign, enforcement strategy, or long term policy changes, visibility is one of the few pedestrian safety factors that can often be improved right away.
- Higher visibility gives drivers more time to react
- Bright colors and reflective materials help pedestrians stand out
- Low light, poor weather, and obstructed sight lines make visibility even more important
- Simple visibility measures can support safer crossings in neighborhoods, schools, parking lots, and other pedestrian areas
NHTSA’s own guidance reinforces the same principle: when drivers can see pedestrians sooner, they have a better chance of avoiding a tragedy.
Stay Visible. Stay Safe.
At SeeMeFlags, we believe a simple principle still matters:
If drivers can see you sooner, they can avoid you.
Whether you are outfitting a school, neighborhood, municipality, property, or work zone, pedestrian visibility products can help improve awareness where people cross and where driver reaction time matters most.
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