US Pedestrian Deaths Per Capita
US Pedestrian Deaths Per Capita
USA! USA!
It’s actually kind of what is reflected in this map: so many fewer deaths in the north because they have much less time per year when anyone, even reasonably motivated or inclined people are able to walk or bike due to harsh winter weather and poor public transit and urban planning.
Look at Oregon, it’s got tons of bikers compared to a Wyoming, but greater density so many more deaths. Pedestrian deaths are combo of transport options, culture, inclination, and environmental variables. Cleveland Ohio probably has much worse active/bike culture than Portland but the weather is so much harsher than Portland there are less pedestrians to hit as people are inside or in cars.
Years ago, i flew out to a friend’s wedding in Albuquerque and rented a car. On seeing my new England liscence, the rental agent warned me,
“Out here, one in 3 drivers are drunk. That’s not a statistic- if you can see 2 other cars, one of them has a drunk ar the wheel! Drive accordingly”
Honestly it doesn’t surprise me. I think I lost like 5 old high school classmates in 6 months due to them being drink behind a wheel and killing themselves and others. There’s nothing to do, the culture of the entire state revolves around hanging with friends and drinking, there’s alcohol for sale at almost every store in the state besides dollar stores and because everyone drinks and drives there’s no one with common sense to talk others out of it.
Few cities have public transit, and most of it is piss poor, so people walk if they don’t have a car. Sidewalk infrastructure is a joke so people end up walking in the road. Now you see the issue.
Like someone else pointed out, 2/3 people are under the influence of something while driving in NM. Most of the time it’s alcohol, the rest is either weed or coke.