More than 4,000 pedestrians lost their lives in just five states in 2023, according to new research from Bader Law. California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and New York recorded the highest numbers of pedestrian deaths, together accounting for a disproportionate share of the nation’s fatalities.
The total in these states rivals the entire national death toll from just two decades ago, underscoring the severity of the current pedestrian safety crisis.
Where Walking Is Deadliest
The study found that five states stand far above the rest when it comes to pedestrian deaths:
- California – 1,100 deaths, concentrated in Los Angeles and San Francisco metro areas.
- Texas – 900 deaths, many linked to suburban arterials and major highways intersecting dense urban communities.
- Florida – 850 deaths, with risks heightened in tourist-heavy coastal cities and late-night entertainment districts.
- Georgia – 700 deaths, reflecting suburban sprawl where sidewalks and safe crossings are often absent.
- New York – 500 deaths, with New York City and its surrounding metro area accounting for the majority.
Together, these five states accounted for over 4,000 fatalities, far outweighing their share of the U.S. population.
The Role of Smartphones
Distraction was identified as a key factor behind rising pedestrian deaths. Across observed crossings in the study areas:
- Nearly 50% of pedestrians showed visible distraction.
- Pedestrians using phones were four times more likely to ignore crosswalk signals.
- 60% failed to check for traffic before stepping into the street.
- Phone use increased average crossing time by 18%, keeping pedestrians in active traffic lanes longer.
This trend highlights how smartphone use has become a defining risk factor on America’s streets.
Why These States Stand Out
Several systemic issues amplify the dangers in these states:
- Urban density + high-speed traffic: Cars are rarely slowed to prioritize pedestrians, even in busy city cores.
- Tourism and nightlife: Florida and New York’s entertainment hubs see heavy foot traffic during peak risk hours, 6–10 p.m.
- Multilane intersections: Wide crossings with no refuge space give pedestrians little margin for error.
- Rapid growth corridors: Texas, Georgia, and Florida have experienced booming suburban development, but road design often lags behind, leaving pedestrians to navigate unsafe environments.
What Can Be Done
A spokesperson for Bader Law said:
“When the top five states account for such a huge share of deaths, it’s a clear sign that prevention strategies need to scale. We know distraction changes crossing behavior — and we know how to design streets to protect against it.”
The report highlights several solutions, including:
- Longer pedestrian signal times and exclusive pedestrian phases at traffic lights
- Improved lighting at intersections and midblock crossings
- Refuge islands and curb extensions to shorten crossing distances
- Traffic-calming designs that slow vehicles in high-foot-traffic areas
- Public education campaigns about the risks of using phones at the curb
The Bigger Picture
The concentration of fatalities in just five states suggests that targeted policy and infrastructure changes could save thousands of lives every year.
With smartphone use continuing to rise and climate change pushing more people outdoors, experts warn that relying on perfect pedestrian attention is both unrealistic and unsafe. Instead, street design and traffic policy must adapt to human behavior.
Pedestrian safety specialists argue that a combination of federal guidance and local implementation will be essential to reversing these trends. Without meaningful intervention, the risks in high-fatality states are likely to increase further as traffic volumes grow, tourism expands, and distracted walking becomes even more common.
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