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Photo by John Jankowski, Delaware Online |
These are the 10 most dangerous states for pedestrians.
1. Delaware
- Pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 people: 2.94
- Total pedestrian fatalities: 27 (15th lowest)
- Total traffic fatalities: 114 (5th lowest)
Poster's note: The last thing in the world any State wants is the #1 spot on this list. Delaware, however, is at a disadvantage in this survey, as our numbers can fluctuate wildly given a relatively low population.
Regardless of this horrible statistic, we still give kudos to DelDOT for actively assessing major corridors for pedestrian safety, and installing crosswalks (and bike lanes) at known dangerous intersections. Sadly, even with these improvements, many such roads still lack safe infrastructure for the non-motorized.
A largely forgotten issue includes driver education and enforcement. Where we have crosswalks, drivers routinely ignore them, and blow through them even when pedestrians are present or waiting to cross. Delaware carries virtually no penalty for these potentially deadly actions, and enforcement is rare, if at all.
Above: It's as though users of the Pomeroy Trail in Newark don't even exist at the crossing of Wyoming Avenue. Here, we see a bicyclist that is clearly visible and waiting to cross the road in a wide zebra striped crosswalk, yet motorists continue through despite having more than adequate time to stop. The "Don't Join the Walking Dead" campaign should also focus on driver education and enforcement, and include hefty fines for crosswalk incursions that are commensurate with other states that score far better in pedestrian safety.
Why crosswalks are so dangerous in Delaware
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