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U.S. NEWS A7
Wednesday 9 March 2016
Early data suggests pedestrian deaths surged in 2015
Police and emergency crews respond to the scene of a car JOAN LOWY ernors Highway Safety As- the largest year-to-year
accident along Las Vegas Boulevard in Las Vegas. Pedestrian Associated Press sociation, which represents increase in pedestrian
deaths surged by an estimated 10 percent last year, according WASHINGTON (AP) — Pe- governors’ highway safety deaths since 1975 when
to an analysis of preliminary state traffic fatality data. destrian deaths surged by offices. Warmer weather the current federal system
an estimated 10 percent and shorter winters along for recording traffic deaths
(AP Photo/John Locher) last year as the economy with a greater awareness was created.
improved, the price of of health benefits may also The report is based on state
gas plunged and motorists be encouraging people to traffic fatality figures, ex-
put more miles behind the walk more. “This is really so- trapolated for the full year
wheel than ever before, bering news,” said Richard by researchers at Sam
according to an analysis of Retting, co-author of the Schwartz Consulting, which
preliminary state traffic fa- report. “Pedestrian safety is specializes in transporta-
tality data. clearly a growing problem tion matters. There were
The growing use of cell- across the country.” 2,368 pedestrians killed in
phones distracting drivers The data analyzed were the first six months of 2015,
and walkers may also be from the first half of 2015. compared to 2,232 during
partially to blame, states a If the trend holds true for the same period in 2014
report released by the Gov- the full year, it would be — a six percent increase.
