Walking should be a safe and efficient way to get to places for work, play, shopping and worship. The Dangerous by Design 2024 report from SmartGrowthAmerica has some stark statistics about the dangers of walking. In the U.S., there has been a 75% increase in deaths of people walking since 2010. Using data from federal reporting, the analysis points out the sad and disturbing number. 7,522 pedestrian lives taken in 2022 are not only a loss for families, but communities where people choose not to walk out of concern for their safety. People of color, lower income and those between the ages 50 and 64 are the most likely to die per 100,000 population.

Our roads are designed to move cars quickly despite pedestrians being present. The highest priority for road design is moving motor vehicles faster; the price is paid in pedestrian injury and deaths. Looking at curb cuts for driveways, slip lanes for higher speed right hand turns, crosswalks with multi-lane traffic, makes walking dangerous and scary to navigate. But many people have no choice but to risk conflicts with cars. They must to access grocery stores, work, healthcare and other necessities. The design priority for safety should be on those facing the most risk, pedestrians.

The number of deaths involving vehicles has increasingly impacted those people outside of the vehicle. A safer environment for those using public right of way outside a vehicle hasn’t had the level of investment in infrastructure as vehicle design investments. Since 1994 the share of vehicle fatalities for vehicle occupants has decreased while fatalities for people outside a vehicle have increased.

We can design streets for safety and not speed. We can prioritize the safety of those outside a vehicle and increase driver’s cues for safety. Driver’s awareness of pedestrians by painted, lighted pedestrian crossing increases safety. Slowing speeds, narrowing crossing distance, and improved visibility will increase safety. These changes will not happen without a safety mindset shift and funding. Additionally, without public support for design shifts toward safety, we won’t accomplish this goal. Most people in Billings are drivers, but as the report reminds us, “We are all one flat tire away from being a pedestrian.”