A new study revealed that Florida reported the nation’s third-highest nighttime pedestrian fatality rate at intersections.
A new study by Wilk Law Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers analyzed nighttime pedestrian fatality data at intersections from the CDAN Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) across all 50 U.S. states from 2019 to 2023. The study measured Average Nighttime Pedestrian Fatalities at Intersections per Million Residents, with higher values indicating a greater likelihood of pedestrian fatalities after dark.
Florida’s third-place position at 6.66 fatalities per million residents – 125% above the national average of 2.96 – solidifies the Sunshine State’s reputation as one of America’s most perilous environments for pedestrians. The state’s 21,941,143 residents experienced an annual average of 146 nighttime intersection deaths:
- 2021 peak: 159 fatalities (post-pandemic traffic rebound)
- 2023 decline: 135 deaths (modest improvement following infrastructure investments)
Looking at the study, a spokesperson at Wilk Law Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers commented:
“Florida’s nighttime pedestrian fatality rate underscores one of the most dangerous walking environments in the country. At 6.66 deaths per million residents – 125% above the national baseline – Florida continues to struggle with a deeply rooted pedestrian safety problem.
“The data shows that the state’s extensive network of high-speed urban roads, from Miami to Orlando to Tampa, creates conditions where pedestrians face reduced visibility and limited safe crossing options after sunset. These design choices all but guarantee elevated fatality rates.
“Targeted measures such as enhanced street illumination, pedestrian refuge islands, and stricter enforcement of speed limits in urban corridors are essential to reversing this longstanding trend.”
Table of Extended Results:
| Top 10 States With the Highest Nighttime Pedestrian Intersection Fatality Rates (2019–2023) | ||
| State | Average Nighttime Pedestrian Fatality at Intersection per Million Residents | Rank |
| New Mexico | 7.86 | 1 |
| Arizona | 7.12 | 2 |
| Florida | 6.66 | 3 |
| Nevada | 6.43 | 4 |
| California | 5.67 | 5 |
| New Jersey | 4.94 | 6 |
| Maryland | 4.65 | 7 |
| Delaware | 4.38 | 8 |
| Georgia | 4.16 | 9 |
| Alaska | 4.09 | 10 |
The study was conducted by Wilk Law Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers. This Pennsylvania-based firm represents victims of negligence in cases involving vehicle collisions, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, premises liability, and wrongful death.
Methodology
The study analyzed nighttime pedestrian fatality data at intersections across all 50 U.S. states between 2019 and 2023, sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). It measured Average Nighttime Pedestrian Fatalities at Intersections per Million Residents to identify where pedestrians face the greatest per-capita risk of being killed while crossing at night. Higher numbers indicate a greater likelihood of nighttime pedestrian deaths per capita.
Data Source
- Pedestrian Fatality Data: https://cdan.dot.gov/query
- Research Dataset: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1axSfehMgcxqwsciWvzJgsuuGth2qr0P5fadVx25WN9A/edit?gid=0#gid=0
- Study by: https://wilklawfirm.com/
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