Description of the Smart Growth America report Dangerous by Design 2019. The report ranks the most dangerous states and metro areas for pedestrians. Where does the Sacramento metro area rank?
The recent release of the Smart Growth America report Dangerous by Design 2019 caught my eye as I am familiar with the Complete Streets initiative.
The Complete Streets initiative is supported by a nationwide coalition advocating for the adoption of a federal Complete Streets policy. In the meantime, Coalition members seek to encourage state transportation agencies and local planning organizations to tailor their plans with the most vulnerable users upmost in mind.
Smart Growth America, a non-profit organization, works with all involved in the process of urban planning and development to “think strategically about building better towns and cities”.
State Dangerous by Design Rankings
The Smart Growth America Dangerous by Design 2019 report identified the top 10 most dangerous states (in order) for pedestrians as:
- Florida
- Alabama
- Delaware
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Georgia
- New Mexico
- Texas
- Arizona
- South Carolina
Nationwide, according to the report, 49,340 pedestrians were hit and killed between 2008-2017.
SacramentoRevealed.com – All Things Sacramento (from a personal perspective)
California was ranked the 16th most dangerous state in the U.S. for pedestrians – with 7,127 deaths between 2008-2017.
California Metro Area Dangerous by Design Rankings
The Bakersfield area ranked as the 7th most dangerous metro in the U.S. for pedestrians, with 247 deaths between 2008-2017.
Other California metro areas on the list of the 100 most dangerous cities for pedestrians are:
- 34th – Stockton-Lodi
- 46th – Sacramento-Roseville-Arden-Arcade
- 48th – San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara
- 50th – Los Angeles-Long Beach
- 61st – Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura
- 87th – San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward
According to the 2019 report the situation is getting worse – not better. The statistics for 2008-2017 show that:
- Pedestrian deaths have increased by 35.4%
- Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) have increased 8.1%
- Walking (as a share of all trips) have increased by -1%
- Traffic deaths among motor vehicle occupants have decreased by 6.1%
We all too often hear of pedestrians and bicyclists being injured and/or killed by motor vehicles on the streets of Sacramento. I for one am glad to know that efforts to remedy the situation are being undertaken by the City.
A review of the City of Sacramento Capital Improvement Project webpage reveals that current Complete Streets projects in Sacramento include rehabilitation of Bell Avenue, Broadway, Franklin Blvd. and North 12th Street.
Hopefully by the time the next Dangerous by Design report is released Sacramento will dramatically drop in the ranking. We can all do our part by paying attention when driving and keeping our eyes open for both pedestrians and bicyclists.
See related blog posts: Where Does Sacramento Rank and Bicycle-Car Accidents in Sacramento
Comments on the Dangerous by Design 2019 report?
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