State Transportation Departments Claim Safety is Priority, Yet Pedestrian Deaths Continue to Rise
State departments of transportation (DOTs) often proclaim that safety is their foremost concern. However, the grim reality is that our streets are becoming increasingly perilous. To effectively combat the alarming rise in pedestrian fatalities, which have reached 7,522 in 2022 alone—averaging over 20 deaths each day—state DOTs and federal authorities must fundamentally reevaluate their strategies, moving away from a speed-centric focus.
The statistics paint a stark picture: many Americans face a daily struggle for safe and comfortable travel options outside of their vehicles. In numerous regions across the United States, a simple walk to school, work, or the grocery store can pose significant risks of injury or death. This is particularly true on state-owned roads, which often prioritize high-speed vehicle travel over pedestrian safety, creating hazardous conditions for those who walk, bike, or use mobility aids.
Despite the stated commitment to safety, design changes that could enhance road safety frequently encounter resistance from state DOTs. This contradiction highlights a disconnect between the professed goals of roadway safety and the actual design priorities, which tend to favor rapid vehicle movement. Engineers often prioritize metrics like the value of time and level of service, which do not account for the safety of all road users.
Extensive research indicates that roads designed for high-speed travel can lead to dire consequences for pedestrian and cyclist safety. Yet, the same design modifications that could improve safety face numerous obstacles. A significant cultural shift is necessary within state DOTs, starting from the top levels of leadership, to address these issues effectively.
State DOTs must embrace innovative solutions and recognize that traditional approaches have not resolved many transportation challenges. Fortunately, some state DOTs are beginning to implement changes, such as adopting a Complete Streets framework on rural highways or piloting quick-build demonstration projects to enhance community engagement.
The prevailing design philosophy has neglected safety, and merely continuing existing practices will not mitigate the dangers. To protect all road users, state DOTs must adopt creative strategies that prioritize safety over speed.
While the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) often sets standards that emphasize high-speed travel, it also allows state DOTs the flexibility to make safer choices. Unfortunately, many practitioners within state DOTs are unaware of this flexibility, and those who are may encounter additional challenges when attempting to implement it.
When state DOTs invest time and resources to overcome these barriers and test new safety features, their efforts often go unrecognized by the federal government, even if they lead to improved safety outcomes. Conversely, state DOTs that do not take action and allow fatalities to occur receive the same level of funding and attention as those making effective safety improvements. This creates a disincentive to pursue proven safety measures, perpetuating a dangerous status quo.
Recently, Smart Growth America completed a series of technical assistance projects aimed at fostering partnerships between local communities and state DOTs to enhance safety on state-owned roadways. T4A Director and VP of Transportation and Thriving Communities, Beth Osborne, noted that state DOT staff frequently feel isolated in determining whether non-traditional safety measures are permissible under USDOT guidelines, even when those measures have demonstrated success in improving safety. There is a significant opportunity for federal leaders to collaborate with states, local leaders, and public health partners to promote learning through demonstration projects and proactive guidance.
For state DOTs to genuinely prioritize safety over speed, comprehensive system-wide changes are essential, and they cannot achieve this alone. The USDOT can play a pivotal role by providing clear guidance that encourages safety strategies that yield tangible results. Future legislation must also hold states accountable for prioritizing safety over speed.