Pedestrian Deaths Fell by Largest Percentage in 15 Years, but Remain Above Pre-Pandemic Levels

Why It Matters

The drop signals progress but persistent above‑baseline deaths underscore the need for stronger, data‑driven safety measures nationwide.

Key Takeaways

• 11% drop, largest in 15 years
• 3,024 pedestrian deaths first half 2025
• Deaths still exceed 2019 pre‑pandemic levels
• 24 states saw increases; five highest per‑capita rates
• New Mexico halved deaths using flashing crosswalk lights

Pulse Analysis

The United States has struggled with a rising tide of pedestrian fatalities since the onset of the COVID‑19 pandemic, when traffic patterns shifted and safety enforcement waned. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, the first half of 2025 recorded 3,024 pedestrian deaths—a reduction of 371 deaths, or 11 percent, compared with the same period in 2024. This marks the steepest year‑over‑year decline in the 15‑year series the GHSA has tracked, yet the toll remains above the 2019 baseline that preceded the pandemic surge. The data underscore both progress and lingering risk.

Geographic disparities paint a more nuanced picture. While 23 states reported falling pedestrian deaths, another 24 saw increases, with Hawaii, Louisiana, Florida, South Carolina and Arizona posting the highest deaths per capita. New Mexico offers a compelling case study: after deploying flashing lights that activate when a pedestrian steps into a crosswalk, its fatality count dropped from 53 in early 2024 to 27 in the same period of 2025, effectively halving the risk. Similar interventions—enhanced street lighting, median islands, and speed‑limit reductions—are gaining traction in jurisdictions seeking to replicate these gains.

Policymakers can leverage these findings to accelerate national Vision Zero objectives. Federal grant programs that fund pedestrian‑focused infrastructure—such as the Highway Safety Improvement Program—should prioritize projects with proven technology, like sensor‑driven warning systems, especially in high‑risk corridors. Municipalities must also integrate data‑driven enforcement, using real‑time crash analytics to target speed hotspots and improve crosswalk visibility. Though the 11 percent decline signals momentum, sustaining and deepening the trend will require coordinated action across transportation agencies, public health officials, and community groups. Only a concerted, evidence‑based approach can bring pedestrian fatalities below pre‑pandemic levels and ultimately toward zero.