California pedestrian deaths decreased in the first half of 2024
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Fewer pedestrians died on California roads in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period a year earlier, but the state's per capita rate during that time was above the national average.
Why it matters: Cities worldwide have tried to reduce pedestrian deaths through programs like "Vision Zero," though car/pedestrian incidents have actually increased in San Diego since the city joined that movement.
By the numbers: 439 pedestrians were killed on California roads in the first half of last year, according to a new projection by the Governors Highway Safety Association.
- That's down from 504 who died during that period in 2023, good for a 13% decrease.
- California's total for the first half of 2024 is lower than any year since 2019; the state's recent first-half peak for pedestrian deaths was 564 in 2022.
Yes, but: During the first six months of 2024, the state experienced 1.1 pedestrian deaths for every 100,000 residents, while the national average was 0.97 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 residents.
Stunning stat: "Between the first half of 2014 and 2024, pedestrian deaths have risen at a rate almost seven times faster than population growth," the GHSA report finds.
What's next: GHSA argues governments have proven tools to continue reducing deaths, such as building transportation corridors that minimize pedestrian interaction with vehicles, encouraging safe driving through both education and enforcement, and prioritizing visibility between drivers and pedestrians.