While popular tourist destinations are often celebrated for their allure and vibrancy, they can also pose significant risks to pedestrians.
To gain a deeper understanding of this pressing issue, InjuredFlorida conducted a comprehensive analysis of pedestrian fatalities in car crashes across the top 50 travel destinations in the United States. By examining data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System between 2018 and 2022, the study aimed to identify the locations where pedestrians are most vulnerable.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Number of crashes per 100k people- 45.32
Car accidents are a common occurrence in the Fort Lauderdale area, most of which happen due to driver’s negligence. According to the study, between 2018 and 2022, there were a total of 83 pedestrian death cases that happened due to car crashes. As a tourist, if you choose to drive through Fort Lauderdale, be aware of locations like Interstate 95 (I-95), the intersection of Broward Boulevard and US-1, Las Olas Boulevard, and the downtown area, particularly around the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. These are some of the most accident-prone areas where you can experience heavy traffic.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Number of crashes per 100k people- 36.44
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is considered a hotspot of car accidents. The primary reason is that the major highway is running through the heart of Myrtle Beach. The high traffic volume is considered as one of the main reasons behind the car crashes. The heavy traffic makes it difficult for drivers to merge, change lanes, or make emergency stops, leading to car collisions. According to the study, between 2018 and 2022, 14 pedestrian death cases happened due to car crashes. The common locations of Myrtle Beach where the most accidents occur include the U.S. 17 (Kings Highway), U.S. 17 Bypass, U.S. 501, SC-31 (Carolina Bays Parkway), SC-22, and SC-544.
Baltimore, Maryland
- Number of crashes per 100k people- 34.39
Driving in Baltimore increases your chances of getting into a car accident by about 153%. The average local driver meets an accident every four years. Between the years 2018 and 2022, Baltimore has a total of 196 pedestrian death cases due to car crashes. The most dangerous time to drive in Baltimore is between 3 PM and 6 PM, and almost 21% of accidents in the city happen during this time. Most car accidents in Baltimore happen because of negligence, such as speeding, distracted driving, and failing to obey traffic laws.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Number of crashes per 100k people- 34.22
39% of all traffic accidents in New Mexico happen in the Albuquerque Metropolitan area. Between the years 2018 and 2022, there were a total of 192 pedestrian death cases that happened in Albuquerque only. Bernalillo County had over 15,000 traffic accidents in the year 2021, Among which almost 14,000 accidents happened in Albuquerque alone. This is why Albuquerque is referred to as the second most dangerous city for driving. The majority of car crashes tend to happen during the weekends, with Friday being the most dangerous day to drive.
St. Louis, Missouri
- Number of crashes per 100k people- 31.75
In 2021, speeding was the most common cause of car accidents in St Louis. The higher density, population, and tourist attraction of this county result in more frequent car accidents. Till May 2024, there were 20 fatalities reported. Between the years 2018 And 2022, there were a total of 91 pedestrian death cases that happened due to car crashes. Tourists and outsiders should also be aware of aggressive driving, as between 2017 and 2021, aggressive driving cost 144 traffic fatalities. Two of those were the result of an aggressive driver following too closely. Therefore, it is advised not to maintain a safe distance while driving.
Detroit, Michigan
- Number of crashes per 100k people- 29.66
Detroit is known as a motor city, and there are various reasons why so many car accidents happen here. Most accidents within the city happen due to careless, reckless, or aggressive driving. The city also has a high number of cases of intoxicated drivers, leading to fatal accidents. The most problematic areas that the tourists should be aware of are East Davison Street, 7 Mile, Interstate 75, and Gratiot Avenue. Tourists should also be mindful of deer collisions, which are also one of the most common causes of car accidents. Between 2018 and 2022, there were a total of 184 pedestrian death cases due to car crashes.
Phoenix, Arizona
- Number of crashes per 100k people- 29.07
In a recent coverage by a reputed law firm in Arizona, it was found that the annual number of car crashes in Phoenix, Arizona, is over 38,000, with almost 300 of them being fatal. Amongst the reported accidents, over 1200 of them were alcohol-related, which is a concerning statistic. According to the study that we are following, between 2018 and 2022, there were a total of 478 pedestrian death cases due to car crashes. Tourists should be aware that Phoenix is a central area for truck traffic. Motors and car drivers are forced to share roads with these large trucks, and these trucks often have blind spots that cause dangerous highway accidents.
West Palm Beach, Florida
- Number of crashes per 100k people- 27.29
As per the reports, between 2028 and 2022, there have been a total of 33 pedestrian death cases in the West Palm Beach area. Car accidents are incredibly common in the West Palm Beach area, and there are over 500 collisions in a week on average. The reckless driving of the locals and the habit of cutting on people around the traffic and trying to beat red lights are the major reasons behind these accidents. Some also blame the adverse weather, such as heavy fog, rain, or extreme heat, that causes mechanical issues in the car, which are the reason behind these accidents.
Miami, Florida
- Number of crashes per 100k people- 26.92
According to most law firms, the major reasons behind the car accidents leading to injury in Miami are caused due to speeding, disobeying traffic signals, bad weather, and driving under the influence. As per the study, between 2018 and 2022, there were 121 pedestrian death cases due to car crashes. Besides the rush driving, the congested roads in Miami and bumper-to-bumper traffic are also major reasons behind these accidents. In Miami, most car accidents cost more than a thousand dollars.
New Orleans, Louisiana
- Number of crashes per 100k people- 25.96
Between 2018 and 2022, there were 96 pedestrian death cases that happened in New Orleans. Many blame the road conditions of the place as a major reason for the accidents. Potholes and uneven roads are a big issue in New Orleans, which typically result from heavy rainfall and frequent flooding. Besides the potholes, the flooded streets and water accumulation due to inadequate drainage are other reasons behind creating risky driving conditions. Tourists should be especially cautious during the rainy seasons as driving on unknown roads with such poor conditions can increase the chances of accidents by manifold.
Atlanta, Georgia
- Number of crashes per 100k people- 25.85
On average, the city of Atlanta sees 30,000 car accidents. In 2020 alone, the Atlanta Police Department reported 28,278 accidents, which is slightly less than in 2022’s almost 30K cases. According to the study, between 2018 and 2022, there were tens of 129 pedestrian death cases due to car crashes. Speeding is one of the biggest reasons behind it, while distracted driving is the second. As a tourist, one should be aware that Atlantans do not adhere to traffic laws, speed through yellow lights, or simply run through red lights. The drivers might also drive over the sidewalks to cut around vehicles, causing these deadly pedestrian accidents.
Tampa, Florida
- Number of crashes per 100k people- 25.11
Tampa Beach, with its sunny weather and amusement parks, is one of Florida’s biggest tourist attractions. However, with congested roads and rushing cars, the roads are often frightening for tourists. In the mentioned time frame, Tampa witnessed a total of 100 pedestrian deaths. Across the country, the issue of reckless driving is prevalent, and traffic laws are often disregarded.
According to FLHSMV (Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles), a major reason behind these accidents is drunk driving. Texting while driving has also been pointed out as a reason for distracted driving, which leads to accidents.
