(WWJ) -- New data suggests that 2020 was a dangerous year to be a pedestrian.
WWJ’s Jeff Gilbert reports that figures from the Governors Highway Safety Association released today show the number of pedestrian deaths jumped an overall 5% last year.
The rising numbers are surprising in a year that saw far fewer drivers on the road due to the pandemic -- and Pam Fischer of GHSA says the trend is a dangerous one.
“We’ve really seen how increased reckless driving has negatively impacted pedestrian safety throughout the pandemic and throughout all of 2020.” Fischer said.
In Michigan, the number of pedestrian deaths were up 19% in 2020.
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The information is based on reporting by state highway safety offices across the U.S., which pointed to speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving as factors for the increase. Additionally, data shows that fatalities happen more frequently in urban areas, primarily impacting people of color.
States with the highest percentage increase of pedestrian deaths over the past year included Kansas, Vermont and Rhode Island, while Maine, Hawaii and Delaware saw decreases.