Pedestrians
A total of 4,881 pedestrian deaths occurred in 2005, up 4 percent from 2004. Pedestrians comprise the second largest category of motor vehicle crash deaths after vehicle occupants, accounting for 11 percent of fatalities.The severity of the pedestrian injury depends on the age of the pedestrian, time of the day, vehicle type, speed, and location of crash. Adults over 65 years old are at the highest risk of serious injury followed by young children ages 5 to 9 years old due to ability to recover after being involved in a motor vehicle crash. The rate of pedestrian deaths in 2005 was approximately twice as high for people 70 and older than for those younger than 70. The rate of pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people has decreased 50 percent for people younger than 70 and 69 percent for those age 70 and older in the past 30 years. Forty-five percent of fatal pedestrian motor vehicle collisions in 2005 occurred between 6pm and midnight.
References:
Injury Control: www.injurycontrol.com/icrin/frameicrin.htm
Department of Transportation: www.dot.gov