Report: Columbus streets are "dangerous by design"
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Columbus streets have gotten more dangerous for pedestrians in recent years, per new research from the transportation advocacy group Smart Growth America.
Why it matters: Far more pedestrians are dying on American roadways now than in the recent past, particularly those living in poorer, more diverse communities.
- Unsafe streets might be one reason why Columbus residents are walking less frequently, a trend with its own negative health consequences.
By the numbers: 7,522 pedestrians were struck and killed across the U.S. in 2022, per Smart Growth America's latest "Dangerous by Design" report.
- That is a 40-year high and a 75% increase from 2010.
Zoom in: The Columbus metro area recorded 170 pedestrian deaths between 2018-2022, a spike from the 116 tallied in the preceding five-year span.
- The 2018-2022 figure resulted in an average annual rate of 1.59 deaths per 100,000 residents, ranking the city 67th out of the biggest 101 metro areas.
The big picture: Research shows higher rates of pedestrian deaths in areas with lower median household incomes, as well as higher rates among Hispanic, Black and Native Americans compared to the white population.
- A local study previously found that pedestrians are more likely to be blamed for crashes in poorer Columbus neighborhoods.
What they're saying: "Our nation's streets are dangerous by design, designed primarily to move cars quickly at the expense of keeping everyone safe," a report summary reads.
- "Unfortunately, this crisis will continue to get worse until those in power finally make safety for everyone who uses our roads a top priority."
Between the lines: Tampa ranked 8th, with a pedestrian death rate of 3.75 per 100,000, as highlighted by an Axios reporter who trekked 39 dangerous miles across the city.
- That inspired a similar journey by Axios Columbus that began at a Far West Side Kroger store. The lack of sidewalk nearby forced our reporter to immediately cross five lanes of traffic without safe lights or markings.
- Last week, a pedestrian was killed while crossing West Broad Street next to that Kroger.
Two days later, a man was struck and killed on a North High Street crosswalk in Clintonville.
- Yesterday morning, I-71 was shut down in North Linden after a pedestrian was killed on the highway.
What we're watching: If a collection of city and state initiatives will eventually reverse this trend.
- Columbus' Vision Zero plan is redesigning dangerous intersections, while the LinkUS ballot proposal would fund safer road infrastructure along several busy corridors.
- The city has recorded fewer downtown crashes since lowering the speed limit in March 2023, Columbus Underground reports.
- And police continue to actively enforce a new distracted driving law, citation data shows.