The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) has released their latest annual spotlight report, "Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State: 2022 Preliminary Data" that provides an indepth overview of state and national trends in pedestrian traffic fatalities for the first half of 2022. Based on preliminary data provided by State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs), the GHSA projects that "U.S. drivers struck and killed 3,434 people walking in the first half of 2022, up 5% from the year before, or 168 additional deaths." Data analysis also found that there was an 18% increase in pedestrian deaths between the first half of 2019 and 2022, or 519 additional lives lost. These losses of life are unacceptable and preventable.
Report Highlights
The report provides an analysis of the early estimates of 2022 data by state, highlights key changes over time, and provides a brief overview of potential solutions. The authors highlight their support for solutions based on the Safe System approach, a foundational focus of the U.S. Department of Transportation National Roadway Safety Strategy. 
Key findings included:
- Pedestrian fatalities increased at a pace nine times higher than population growth between the first halves of 2019 and 2022.
- More reporting states (24) saw increases than decreases (21 plus D.C.), with four states’ fatality numbers remaining unchanged from the previous year.
- California, Florida and Texas accounted for 38% of all pedestrian deaths in the first six months of 2022...but only 28% of the U.S. population.
The GHSA will be publishing an additional Spotlight report later this year which will include state fatality projections for all of 2022, and proven strategies that states and communities can use to reduce pedestrian fatalities and injuries. Download the full Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State: 2022 Preliminary Data report here and visit the report webpage for additional resources and report infographics.