Fatal car crashes have become more common in recent years, with the number of fatal crashes in 2021 the highest in 16 years. Through the first nine months of 2022, the latest available information, more than 31,000 people have died in motor vehicle accidents. This puts the country on track to come close to 2021’s total and for the second year in well more than a decade exceed 40,000 deaths. (These are the 20 car accidents Americans get in the most.) Many of those fatal crashes involved pedestrians. But some states appear to be safer for pedestrians than others.
To find the states with the most pedestrian deaths, 24/7 Wall St. used the U.S. NHTSA’s preliminary 2021 data from the report Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State. States are ranked by the number of pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents. All data is from the NHTSA’s report. Fatalities per 100,000 people is a common measure that allows for apples-to-apples comparisons among states with varying populations.
The mortality rate of pedestrian fatalities ranges from 0.8 people per 100,000 residents in Nebraska to nearly 4.8 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people in New Mexico.
California ranks among the 10 states where pedestrian fatalities declined in 2021. The country’s most populous state saw a 6.6% year-over-year decline, from 1,026 deaths in 2020 to 958 in 2021. It ranked 15th in pedestrian fatalities per capita in 2021, with 2.4 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people. (See also the vehicles involved in the most fatal crashes.)
Pedestrian deaths in three states – New Hampshire, Nebraska, and Rhode Island – fell by more than 20%. However, these states generally rank low in pedestrian fatalities because of their low and less dense populations. In 2021, there was less than one pedestrian fatality per 100,000 people in these states.
Among the 10 largest states where more than half of the U.S. population resides, five had fewer than two pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents in 2021, while Georgia and Florida were among the top 10 most dangerous for pedestrians, with 3.2 and 4.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, respectively. Â
Overall, 38 states had more pedestrian fatalities in 2021, led by Maine and West Virginia. Illinois, the country’s sixth most-populous state, reported a 30% increase in pedestrian deaths in 2021.
Here are the states with the most pedestrian deaths.
Source: Lorraine Boogich / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
50. Nebraska
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 0.76
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 0.97 — 8th fewest
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities: 15 — 8th fewest
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities: 19 — 12th fewest
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Source: ErikaMitchell / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
49. New Hampshire
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 0.86
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.09 — 11th fewest
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 12 — 5th fewest
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 15 — 8th fewest
48. Wisconsin
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 0.92
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 0.85 — 5th fewest
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 54 — 19th fewest
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 50 — 19th fewest
Source: benedek / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
47. Idaho
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 0.95
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 0.76 — 2nd fewest
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 18 — 10th fewest
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 14 — 7th fewest
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44. Minnesota
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.00 — tied
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 0.79 — 4th fewest
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 57 — 20th fewest
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 45 — 17th fewest
44. Iowa
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.00 — tied
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 0.94 — 7th fewest
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 32 — 14th fewest
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 30 — 15th fewest
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Source: danlogan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
44. Rhode Island
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.00 — tied
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.55 — 22nd fewest
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 11 — 3rd fewest
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 17 — 10th fewest
43. Massachusetts
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.02
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 0.78 — 3rd fewest
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 71 — 21st fewest
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 55 — 20th fewest
Source: AlbertPego / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
42. Vermont
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.02
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 0.93 — 6th fewest
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 8 — the fewest
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 6 — the fewest
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Source: georgeclerk / E+ via Getty Images
41. Utah
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.24
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.10 — 12th fewest
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 42 — 16th fewest
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 36 — 16th fewest
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
40. North Dakota
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.02
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.03 — 10th fewest
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 10 — 2nd fewest
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 8 — 3rd fewest
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Source: Alexander Farnsworth / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
39. Connecticut
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.24
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.69 — 25th most
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 52 — 18th fewest
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 61 — 21st fewest
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Source: Bastiaan Slabbers / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
37. Pennsylvania
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.45 — tied
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.12 — 13th fewest
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 186 — 12th most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 146 — 15th most
Source: Charley Carter / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
37. Virginia
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.45 — tied
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.32 — 17th fewest
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 125 — 19th most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 114 — 19th most
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Source: krblokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
36. Maine
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.46
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 0.66 — the fewest
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 20 — 11th fewest
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 9 — 4th fewest
34. New York
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.49 — tied
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.20 — 14th fewest
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 296 — 5th most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 241 — 5th most
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Source: PapaBear / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
34. Ohio
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.49 — tied
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.28 — 16th fewest
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 176 — 14th most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 151 — 13th most
Source: georgeclerk / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
32. Colorado
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.53 — tied
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.50 — 21st fewest
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 89 — 24th fewest
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 87 — 24th most
Source: Lorraine Boogich / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
32. Kansas
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.53 — tied
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.57 — 24th fewest
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 45 — 17th fewest
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 46 — 18th fewest
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Source: Jon Bilous / iStock via Getty Images
31. Montana
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.54
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.57 — 24th fewest
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 17 — 9th fewest
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 17 — 10th fewest
Source: PapaBear / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
30. South Dakota
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.56
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.58 — 25th fewest
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 14 — 7th fewest
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 14 — 7th fewest
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Source: jewhyte / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
29. Hawaii
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.60
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.45 — 20th fewest
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 23 — 12th fewest
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 21 — 13th fewest
Source: thyegn / iStock via Getty Images
28. Washington
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.62
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.44 — 19th fewest
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 125 — 19th most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 111 — 20th most
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
27. Kentucky
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.75
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.13 — 16th most
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 79 — 22nd fewest
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 96 — 23rd most
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Source: SerrNovik / iStock via Getty Images
26. Illinois
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.80
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.37 — 18th fewest
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 228 — 8th most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 175 — 10th most
Source: ehrlif / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
25. Michigan
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.87
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.74 — 24th most
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 188 — 11th most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 175 — 10th most
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Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images
24. Alaska
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.91
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.77 — 23rd most
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 14 — 7th fewest
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 13 — 5th fewest
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23. Missouri
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.96
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.08 — 18th most
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 121 — 21st most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 128 — 17th most
Source: benedek / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
22. Indiana
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.00
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.81 — 21st most
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 136 — 16th most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 123 — 18th most
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Source: krblokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
21. West Virginia
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.02
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.01 — 9th fewest
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 36 — 15th fewest
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 18 — 11th fewest
Source: jfbenning / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
20. Maryland
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.04
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.12 — 17th most
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 126 — 17th most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 131 — 16th most
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
19. Wyoming
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.07
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.21 — 15th fewest
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 12 — 5th fewest
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 7 — 2nd fewest
18. Oregon
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.24
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.79 — 22nd most
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 95 — 25th most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 76 — 22nd fewest
Source: benedek / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
17. New Jersey
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.37
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 1.93 — 20th most
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 220 — 9th most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 179 — 9th most
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16. North Carolina
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.42
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.18 — 14th most
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 255 — 6th most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 228 — 7th most
Source: Debbie Ann Powell / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
15. California
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.44
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.66 — 10th most
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 958 — the most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 1,026 — the most
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Source: ablokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
14. Alabama
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.50
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.01 — 19th most
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 126 — 17th most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 101 — 22nd most
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
13. Oklahoma
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.13
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.17 — 15th most
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 102 — 23rd most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 86 — 25th most
Source: Dee / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
12. Tennessee
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.56
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.49 — 12th most
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 181 — 13th most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 172 — 12th most
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Source: RAUL RODRIGUEZ / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
11. Texas
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.79
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.44 — 13th most
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 825 — 3rd most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 714 — 3rd most
Source: Page Light Studios / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
10. Nevada
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.80
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.63 — 8th most
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 88 — 23rd fewest
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 82 — 25th fewest
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Source: John M. Chase / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
9. Delaware
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.89
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.52 — 11th most
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 29 — 13th fewest
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 25 — 14th fewest
Source: Joel Carillet / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
8. Georgia
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 3.22 — tied
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.62 — 9th most
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 348 — 4th most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 281 — 4th most
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
7. Mississippi
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 3.22 — tied
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 3.52 — 3rd most
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 95 — 25th most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 104 — 21st most
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Source: csfotoimages / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
6. Arizona
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 3.23
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 3.27 — 5th most
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 235 — 7th most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 235 — 6th most
Source: dlewis33 / iStock via Getty Images
5. Arkansas
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 3.50
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 2.66 — 7th most
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 106 — 22nd most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 80 — 23rd fewest
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Source: Boogich / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
4. South Carolina
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 3.70
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 3.66 — 2nd most
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 192 — 10th most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 187 — 8th most
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Source: Joel Carillet / iStock via Getty Images
3. Louisiana
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 3.78
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 3.20 — 6th most
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 175 — 15th most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 149 — 14th most
Source: ablokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
2. Florida
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 4.13
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 3.32 — 4th most
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 899 — 2nd most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 716 — 2nd most
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Source: JannHuizenga / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
1. New Mexico
> 2021 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 4.77
> 2020 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents: 3.83 — the most
> 2021 Pedestrian fatalities: 101 — 24th most
> 2020 Pedestrian fatalities: 81 — 24th fewest
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