Americans must be walking more these days. Either that, or walking is getting more dangerous. Whichever, here’s a word to the wise: Don’t walk along Highway 99 in Seattle or Everett.
The Washington Post recently reported (Gift link) on a disturbing rise in pedestrian deaths along America’s roads. Based on data from the National Transportation Safety Board and other public sources, the Post found that pedestrian deaths per year increased 70 percent between 2010 and 2023.
The rising number of pedestrian deaths in the U.S. contrasts with the trend in other developed countries, where such incidents have declined almost 30 percent in a decade. For drivers and passengers as well as pedestrians, U.S. roads are unusually hazardous places to be on or near.
The Post developed an ingenious interactive tool for mapping pedestrian deaths in cities nationwide from 2021 to 2023. In Seattle, clusters of three or more deaths line much of Highway 99, its downtown tunnel mercifully excepted.
The same is true in Everett on Highway 99, variously known there as Pacific Highway and Evergreen Way.
Conclusion: Be careful out there!
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Pedestrians and drivers in the US are apparently more distracted than those in “other developed countries” (I see it all the time when I commute). People need to take personal responsibility for their own safety. Focus on the task at hand (drivers) and be aware of your surroundings (pedestrians). Put your phones down. But we’re too immature to do so. And we don’t need more regulation nor do we need any more “No Turn On Red” signs in Seattle.