GHSA previously issued a report finding that 3,434 pedestrians were killed on U.S. roadways in the first half of 2022, based on preliminary data reported by State Highway Safety Offices. A second report analyzing state-reported data for all of 2022 found that roadways continue to be incredibly deadly for pedestrians. There were 2.37 pedestrian deaths per billion vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in 2022, up yet again and continuing a troubling trend of elevated rates that began in 2020.
The report also includes an analysis of 2021 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System to provide additional context on when, where and how drivers strike and kill people on foot. This analysis uncovered a shocking safety disparity for people walking: Pedestrian deaths rose a troubling 77% between 2010 and 2021, compared to a 25% rise in all other traffic fatalities. The data analysis was conducted by Elizabeth Petraglia, Ph.D., of research firm Westat.
To combat this pedestrian safety crisis, GHSA supports a comprehensive solution based on the Safe System approach outlined in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS). Each of the five elements of this approach – safe road users, safe vehicles, safe speeds, safe roads and post-crash care – contribute in different but overlapping ways to provide a multi-layered safety net that can protect people on foot as well as other road users. The report includes examples of how states are utilizing Safe System principles to improve pedestrian safety.
I think that the new blindingly bright headlights play a large part in the massive upswing in nighttime deaths. I have pretty much given up driving at night. Practically every vehicle coming the other way blinds me for at least 20 seconds. I was driving purely by watching the outer lane marker on the ground to my right. It’s just too dangerous to continue. Don’t even get me started on the morons in lifted trucks that get 10 ft behind you and blast all 3 mirrors until you can somehow, without being able to see, get out of their way.
My recommendation in the dangerous situation when
you’reyour visibility is being affected by people blasting you with light from behind is to slow down until the danger is over.Not only is slowing down if visibility falls a correct reaction from a safety point of view, by an “amazing coincidence” it’s the very opposite of what the morons are trying to force you to do.
Just pull over instead. (If possible)
When you’re in the middle of overtaking another car and somebody comes behind you too close and blinds you with their lights, THE most dangerous thing you could possibly do is rush the overtake and pull-over, because your ability to check the position of the car you’re overtaking using your side mirrors is compromised (either because you’re blinded by the lights behind you or might get blinded at a crutial moment if the car behind you flashes their highbeams at the wrong time) so changing lanes in that situation is the very opposite of what you should be doing.
Getting close to the tail of somebody on the highway and flashing high beams trying to pressure that person to move out of the lane is incredibly selfish thing to do because it activelly pushes the other person to endanger themselves, their passengers and even those on the other lane, and to add insult to injury that method of “pressure” requires breaking 2 traffic rules - safe distance from the car ahead and the use of high beams when it might blind another driver. Even in a situation were you’re blinded because the lights of the vehicle behind are too high, they’re still committing at least one traffic infraction: either they have not adjusted the aim of their lights to the legally mandated distance or they’re not maintaining a safe distance from you.
Further, slowing down and only changing lanes when you feel it’s safe to do so are exactly how as per the traffic rules you should deal with lower visibiility conditions.
I can understand the impulse to get out of the way, but you’re actually endangering yourself and others if you do so when your visibility is compromised.
Absolutelly, you’re overtaking slowly and you notice far behind a car fast approaching you and it’s the nice thing to do to go a bit faster and finish the overtake. However if they are excessivelly close and start imparing your visibility with their lights, safety comes first and that actually means slowing down and pulling over only when its again safe to do so.
I said if possible. No need to write paragraphs
You drive within “possible” if you’re on a race-track. On a road you’re supposed to drive within “safe”.
But why would pedestrian deaths go up if they’re being more illuminated?
—-
Edit: digging in further, increased homelessness is also called out as a possible reason. I know in my area there are a LOT more unhoused people wandering around at night and sleeping on very dangerous stroads.
Because other drivers are blinded…