(WWJ) -- A report released Thursday shows pedestrian deaths are on the rise -- both nationwide and here in Michigan.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, 3,441 pedestrians were struck and killed on the nation's roads in the first half of 2021, which is a 17% increase from the year prior.
The group's Pam Fisher says that these numbers are going in the wrong direction.
"We have to solve this problem," said Fisher. "We have to protect people on foot -- they have the right to the road just like everybody else."
Although this is a nationwide issue, the problem is especially bad here in Michigan, says WWJ's Auto Beat Reporter Jeff Gilbert.
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Of the over 3,400 pedestrians who have died, 77 of those were killed on Michigan roads in the first half of 2021, which is a roughly 10% increase from 2020 -- and FIsher says when you look at the increase from 2019 to 2021, it's even higher.
Fisher says not enough is being done to make roads safe for people on foot.
"We have been a very car-centric society -- we've built roads to move vehicles and not to move the other modes as well," said Fisher.
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The Governors Highway Safety Association is putting the blame on speeding and poor designs of both roadways and vehicles.
The group is calling for increased enforcement of existing traffic laws, better lighting, improved roads and vehicles designed to do less damage to pedestrians.
