California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and New York recorded more than 4,000 pedestrian deaths in 2023, according to new analysis from Bader Law. Together, these five states accounted for a far greater share of fatalities than their population alone would suggest, highlighting systemic gaps in roadway safety.

A National Crisis Concentrated in a Few States

The numbers are striking:

  • California led the nation with 1,100 pedestrian deaths, concentrated in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
  • Texas reported 900 deaths, many tied to fast suburban arterials and major highways intersecting dense communities.
  • Florida recorded 850 deaths, often in tourist-heavy coastal cities during late-night hours.
  • Georgia saw 700 deaths, reflecting unsafe suburban development with limited sidewalks and safe crossings.
  • New York reported 500 deaths, most occurring in New York City and the surrounding metro area.

Together, these states reported more pedestrian fatalities in one year than the entire U.S. annual total two decades ago.

Why These States Rank Worst

Bader Law’s analysis shows that population size is not the only factor driving these outcomes. Instead, several overlapping risks make these states particularly deadly for pedestrians:

  • Road design: Multilane intersections, wide crossings, and missing refuge areas reduce pedestrian safety.
  • High-speed traffic: Vehicles are rarely slowed, even in dense pedestrian corridors.
  • Tourism and nightlife: Florida and New York see surges of foot traffic during peak evening danger hours.
  • Urban growth without infrastructure: Rapidly expanding suburbs in Texas, Georgia, and Florida often lack sidewalks, crossings, and traffic-calming features.

Smartphones and Distraction

Distraction has become a defining feature of modern pedestrian fatalities. Observational studies across these states showed:

  • Nearly half of pedestrians crossing streets were visibly distracted.
  • Pedestrians using phones were four times more likely to ignore crosswalk signals.
  • 60% failed to check for traffic before stepping into the street.
  • On average, distracted pedestrians spent 18% longer in active lanes, raising the risk of being struck.

Expert Commentary

A spokesperson for Bader Law said:

“The fact that just five states are responsible for such a large share of pedestrian deaths shows how urgent this issue has become. We already know what works — better street design, longer signals, and public awareness campaigns about distraction. What’s missing is large-scale implementation.”

Recommended Safety Measures

The study highlighted several strategies that could reduce fatalities:

  • Extended crossing times and pedestrian-only signal phases in high-traffic areas
  • Better street lighting at intersections and midblock crossings
  • Refuge islands and curb extensions to shorten distances across multilane roads
  • Traffic-calming features like raised crosswalks and narrowed lanes to slow vehicles
  • Public education campaigns aimed at reducing phone use while crossing streets

The Bigger Picture

The concentration of deaths in just a handful of states suggests that policy changes and infrastructure investments in targeted regions could save thousands of lives each year. Experts warn that without immediate action, fatalities could rise even further as traffic volumes increase, tourism rebounds, and distracted walking becomes more common.

The broader challenge, according to pedestrian safety advocates, is that U.S. streets are still largely designed with drivers in mind. Expecting pedestrians to exercise “perfect attention” while navigating dangerous intersections ignores both human behavior and modern realities.

JS Bin