Ars Technica
Common factors link rise in pedestrian deaths—fixing them will be tough
A new AAA study finds common factors in the rise of fatal pedestrians crashes.
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/02/common-factors-link-rise-in-pedestrian-deaths-fixing-them-will-be-tough/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
Feb 12, 2025 at 4:10pmArsBot 🤖
Show threadKyle StrandFeb 12, 2025

@arstechnica The article begins by saying there has been an upward trend over the 13 years from 2009 to 2022, but how can the cited factors explain a rise over time?

> Pedestrian crashes on arterial roads during darkness were far more likely to be fatal and were more common in older neighborhoods, more socially deprived neighborhoods, neighborhoods with more multifamily housing, and neighborhoods with more "arts/entertainment/food/accommodations" workers.

None of those seem new since 2009.

Show threadTom TomFeb 12, 2025

@BatmanAoD @arstechnica I thought exactly the same thing.

It would be interesting to compare to Europe where pedestrian death rates have actually been going down from 2013 to 2023.

It could maybe be linked with much tighter regulation on car design as far as pedestrian safety is concerned (Tesla cybertuck is unlawful for instance ) or to road equipment ( sidewalks, speed reduction etc.)...

Show threadTom TomFeb 12, 2025
@BatmanAoD @arstechnica
Show threadNumber6 Feb 12, 2025

@arstechnica

The cities that say they can't afford to install sidewalk are the same ones that are constantly building 4 lane stroads.

This is what I mean when I say that no one -- not even the political Left -- is taking Global Warming serious.

Gasoline should be $20 per gallon. Cars should never get more than two narrow lanes. Every store should have bike parking. Freeways should have bikeways. Pedestrians should not have to walk 2 miles to use a crosswalk.

Show thread🪨Feb 12, 2025
@arstechnica What a shocker, car-centric cities are not good for pedestrians and all the changes that increase car convenience at the cost of other categories increase risks? Who could have known... (Europe)