A handful of states accounted for a disproportionate share of pedestrian deaths last year — and the numbers are staggering. New research from Bader Law reveals that California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and New York together recorded more than 4,000 pedestrian fatalities in 2023, a figure that rivals the national annual total from just two decades ago.
The study emphasizes that this rise cannot be explained by population alone. Infrastructure design flaws, high-speed roadways cutting through pedestrian zones, and widespread smartphone distraction emerge as common threads that make these states particularly dangerous for those on foot.
Where Walking Is Deadliest
California recorded 1,100 deaths, with the highest concentrations in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Texas followed with 900 fatalities, largely linked to suburban arterials and highways intersecting with dense urban areas. Florida’s 850 deaths reflected the risks of late-night incidents in tourist-heavy coastal cities, while Georgia’s 700 fatalities highlight how suburban sprawl often leaves residents walking on roads without sidewalks or safe crossings. New York saw 500 deaths, with New York City and its metro area accounting for the bulk.
Together, these five states accounted for a share of pedestrian deaths far greater than their share of the population, underscoring systemic safety gaps.
The Role of Smartphones
Across these states, distraction has become a defining factor. Nearly half of pedestrians in observed crossings showed visible distraction. Those using phones were four times more likely to ignore crosswalk signals, and 60% failed to check for traffic before stepping off the curb. Phone use also increased average crossing time by 18%, leaving pedestrians in active lanes longer and at greater risk of being struck.
Why These States Stand Out
Several factors amplify these risks. Urban density combines with vehicle traffic that is rarely slowed to prioritize pedestrians. Tourism and nightlife hubs place people in high-risk environments during peak danger hours between 6 and 10 p.m. Multilane intersections with limited refuge space reduce margin for error, while rapid-growth corridors in states like Texas, Georgia, and Florida often lack pedestrian-focused design despite rising foot traffic.
What Can Be Done
“When the top five states account for such a huge share of deaths, it’s a clear sign that prevention strategies need to scale,” said a spokesperson for Bader Law. “We know distraction changes crossing behavior — and we know how to design streets to protect against it.”
The report recommends longer pedestrian signal times, pedestrian-only signal phases in high-volume zones, and improved lighting at intersections and midblock crossings. It also highlights the benefits of refuge islands, curb extensions, and traffic-calming designs to shorten crossing distances and give pedestrians safer waiting areas. Public education campaigns about phone use at the curb are another piece of the solution.
The Bigger Picture
The concentration of fatalities in just a handful of states means targeted policy and design changes could save thousands of lives each year. With smartphone use only increasing and climate change pushing more people outdoors in hot, crowded environments, street design that assumes perfect attention from pedestrians is unrealistic and unsafe.
Pedestrian safety experts argue that federal guidance, coupled with local implementation, will be critical to reversing these trends. Without intervention, the risks in already high-fatality states are likely to rise further as traffic volumes, tourism, and distracted walking continue to grow.
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