Pedestrian Accident Deaths May Increase as Population Ages
A new report by the CDC suggests that there could be an increase in pedestrian deaths from auto accidents in coming years, as the population in the United States continues to age, resulting in decreased resistance to injury and more foot traffic.
In its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that persons age 75 and up are at a higher risk of dying as pedestrians involved in an accident than those who are younger.
The pedestrian death rate from traffic accidents is about 1.58 deaths per 100,000 population, according to the CDC. However, for men between the ages of 75-84 years old, the rate is 4.53, and for even older males it increases to 6.35. For women ages 75 to 84 the death rate was 2.43, much lower than for males, but still far higher than the population at large. That rate decreased for women ages 85 and older just slightly to 2.16.
The CDC reports that as of 2011, the population at or above the age of 75 in the U.S. was 18 million, or 6%. However, by 2040 that number is expected to increase to about 44 million, more than doubling.
According to the report:
“Studies of travel behavior have found that older adults take fewer walking trips and walk, on average, fewer miles per year than younger persons; however, when struck, older adult pedestrians are more likely than younger adults to die from their injuries. Higher prevalence of chronic disease, disability, and frailty among older adults might contribute to these higher case-fatality rates. In addition, age-related declines in cognitive functioning, vision, and physical functioning might place older adult pedestrians at greater risk for being struck by a vehicle.”
The report indicates that the World Health Organization (WHO) will release a new report on pedestrian safety in early May that will include strategies for reducing pedestrian deaths. The manual is expected to include strategies for:
- Traffic calming measures, like speed bumps
- Roadway engineering improvements,
- Installing or upgrading crosswalks
- Enforcing safe driving laws, like those dealing with distracted driving and speeding
- Creating pedestrian safety zones
Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
The Baltimore personal injury lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent individuals injured in pedestrian accidents throughout Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.
To review a potential claim for yourself, a friend or family member who may have been injured as a pedestrian due to the negligence of an automobile driver, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
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