Number of pedestrians killed by cars in Indiana continues to rise

Steve Brown – Chief Investigator

7 mins ago

(WXIN/WTTV) – A new study shows that across the county and central Indiana, more pedestrians are being killed in crashes involving cars.

The non-profit organization Smart Growth America (SGA) publishes a report every two years entitled Dangerous by intentData from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is evaluated and the rate of pedestrians killed by vehicles is calculated.

The Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson region ranked in the middle of the country’s 101 largest metropolitan areas, ranking 51st. However, the number of pedestrian fatalities, at 1.73 per 100,000 residents, is higher than in much more densely populated cities such as Washington (1.70), San Francisco (1.64), New York (1.51) and Chicago (1.51).

Things are no better at the national level. According to the SGA, there were 7,522 pedestrian deaths in the United States in 2022. That’s a 75% increase since 2010.

The main culprit is the design of streets, especially city streets, says CEO Calvin Gladney: “If you’re black, indigenous or Latino, you’re more likely to be hit and killed while walking. Most places are becoming more deadly for pedestrians, and poor street design has a lot to do with that.”

When FOX59 investigated the disturbing number of pedestrian fatalities in Indianapolis last year, the SGA pointed out that East Washington Street was a particularly poorly designed street.

“Everything about this road says you should drive as fast as you can,” said Steve David, vice president at SGA.

Long stretches of Eastern Washington have wide lanes and long straight stretches between lights. When FOX59 brought a radar gun to check speeds, we quickly discovered that drivers were traveling in areas with a speed limit of 35 mph and above.

In addition, the SGA strongly recommends so-called traffic calming road design measures, including fewer and narrower lanes, median strips and improved safety features for pedestrians and cyclists.

“Indy cannot be proud of being one of the most dangerous cities for pedestrians in America. And it doesn’t have to stay that way. We must do more, and we must do better. Pedestrian deaths and car crashes are preventable and avoidable,” said State Senator Andrea Hunley (Democrat – Indianapolis).

The city of Indianapolis is in the midst of a controversial experiment to reduce the number of pedestrian deaths and injuries. The city’s public works department installed more than 90 “No Turn on Red” signs in Mile Square last fall.

The Republican two-thirds majority threatened to ban the signs in the last legislative session, but instead agreed to a compromise with the city that would leave the signs up until their effectiveness is further examined.