The Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reported that there were 60 pedestrian deaths in Maryland during the first half of 2018 vs 48 in 2017. That’s an increase of 25% in one year and the highest number of pedestrian deaths since 1990. It’s not just Maryland seeing the increase. There was a 35% increase in pedestrian deaths nationwide in 2018 over 2008. According to Maryland state officials, 133 pedestrians were killed in traffic over the course of 2018, while overall traffic fatalities had decreased from 2017.
Why Are Pedestrian Death Rising?
The GHSA has posed several possible contributors to the rise in pedestrian deaths including:
- Population growth
- More people driving
- Increased use of SUVs
- Increased use of smartphones
- Alcohol impairment
About half of all crashes killing pedestrians in 2017 involved alcohol impairment on the part of the driver, the pedestrian or both. 17% of drivers involved and 32% of pedestrians killed had a BAC of .08 or higher. The GHSA also notes that from 2008 to 2017 nighttime pedestrian fatalities increased by 45% while daytime pedestrian fatalities only increased by 11%.
If you have been seriously injured or lost someone you love in a Maryland pedestrian accident, please call Alison Mason Heurich, Esq. at 240-346-4883 or email us today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about how we can help you recover the compensation you need to pay for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering and to help you avoid an uncertain financial future.
Alison Mason Heurich, Esq., Senior Attorney