CAUSE OF DEATH
Pedestrian Fatalities
Pedestrians killed in motor vehicle crashes
- 59,237
- Total Fatalities (2015-2023)
- 16.9%
- % of All US Deaths
- 7,314
- Deaths (2023)
- Decreasing
- Trend
What the Data Shows
Pedestrian Fatalities-related fatalities have been decreasing, with a -3.7% change over the reporting period. In raw counts, 2015 saw 5,494 fatalities attributed to pedestrian fatalities, compared with 7,314 in 2023. A critical caveat applies to every cause page on this site: FARS contributing-factor codes are not mutually exclusive. A single fatal crash can be tagged simultaneously with alcohol impairment, excessive speed, lack of restraint, and nighttime conditions, so percentages across all cause categories deliberately sum to more than 100%. The correct read is "share of fatalities where this factor was involved," not "share of fatalities uniquely caused by this factor."
The data itself comes from a census, not a sample, of fatal motor vehicle crashes on US public roads, maintained by NHTSA and sourced from police crash reports, death certificates, and state highway agencies. That makes FARS the authoritative reference for US road fatality research, and it means the numbers on this page represent actual deaths recorded in 2015–2023, not projections. Readers using this data for policy or journalism should combine the pedestrian fatalities figures with state-level pages for geographic context and with the methodology notes for definitions of how each contributing factor is coded. All information is provided for research and informational purposes only.
Yearly Trend
| Year | Pedestrian Fatalities Fatalities | All Fatalities | % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 5,494 | 35,484 | 15.5% |
| 2016 | 6,080 | 37,806 | 16.1% |
| 2017 | 6,075 | 37,473 | 16.2% |
| 2018 | 6,374 | 36,835 | 17.3% |
| 2019 | 6,272 | 36,355 | 17.3% |
| 2020 | 6,565 | 39,007 | 16.8% |
| 2021 | 7,470 | 43,230 | 17.3% |
| 2022 | 7,593 | 42,721 | 17.8% |
| 2023 | 7,314 | 40,901 | 17.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many road fatalities are caused by pedestrian fatalities in the US?
Pedestrian Fatalities was a contributing factor in 59,237 traffic fatalities between 2015 and 2023, accounting for 16.9% of all US traffic deaths during that period. In the most recent year (2023), there were 7,314 fatalities involving this cause.
Are pedestrian fatalities-related fatalities increasing or decreasing?
Pedestrian Fatalities-related fatalities have been decreasing, with a -3.7% change over the reporting period. In 2015 there were 5,494 fatalities, compared to 7,314 in 2023.
What percentage of all US road deaths involve pedestrian fatalities?
Pedestrian Fatalities is identified as a contributing factor in 16.9% of all traffic fatalities in the United States. Note that crash causes are not mutually exclusive, a single fatal crash may involve multiple contributing factors such as alcohol, speeding, and distraction simultaneously.
Where does the pedestrian fatalities fatality data come from?
All data comes from the NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), which is a census of all fatal motor vehicle crashes on public roads in the United States. FARS data covers the period 2015 through 2023 and is considered the definitive source for US road fatality statistics.
How can pedestrian fatalities-related road deaths be reduced?
Reducing pedestrian fatalities-related fatalities requires a combination of enforcement, engineering, and education. Federal agencies like NHTSA and state DOTs publish evidence-based countermeasures. Infrastructure improvements, technology adoption (such as advanced driver-assistance systems), and targeted awareness campaigns have all shown effectiveness in reducing specific cause categories.
Road Safety Guides
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Data covers 2015–2023. This information is for research and informational purposes only.
Related
Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Source and method. PlainRoadSafety is rendered directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). PlainRoadSafety aggregates published FARS records and does not invent a fatality count the census does not report. This page draws directly on NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our Editorial & Corrections Policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or Report a correction.