Walking Through the Data: Analyzing Delaware’s Pedestrian Fatalities Presented by Delaware Office of Highway Safety Richard Klepner Data and Program Analyst May 5, 2016 Richard.Klepner@state.de.us Delaware Office of Highway Safety (302) 744-2743

National Pedestrian Fatalities 19% Since 2009 http://dsp.delaware.gov/reports.shtml National increase in pedestrian fatalities since 2009 19% increase in pedestrian fatalities during this time period. Richard.Klepner@state.de.us Delaware Office of Highway Safety (302) 744-2743

National Pedestrian Fatality Trends 6% increase in fatalities (in the first 6 months) of 2015 Compared to same time in 2014 26 states and Washington D.C. reported increases 10% increase (projected) in pedestrian fatalities 2015 15% of overall fatalities 39% of pedestrians had alcohol in their system when killed (2014) http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/812124.pdf http://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa/Safety1nNum3ers/august2013/theProblemAugust2013.html Richard.Klepner@state.de.us Delaware Office of Highway Safety (302) 744-2743

Nat’l Pedestrian Fatalities Trends (cont.) 72% were in dark conditions 69% Non-intersection Males killed in crashed – 2x that of females Richard.Klepner@state.de.us Delaware Office of Highway Safety (302) 744-2743

Issues With the Data Data provides a good picture of Who What Where When NOT the WHY of fatality crashes Underlying causes may be missed Not all actions are represented equally Only one action can be shown in a crash report and often compete with each other Richard.Klepner@state.de.us Delaware Office of Highway Safety (302) 744-2743

Delaware Pedestrian Fatalities Up 140% since 2009 Richard.Klepner@state.de.us Delaware Office of Highway Safety (302) 744-2743

Overall Picture - Fatalities Since 2012, 119 pedestrian fatalities, including 36 in 2015. 48% occur between 8 PM and 2 AM 67% killed were between the ages of 30-64 72% in New Castle County Only 13% of fatality crashes occur at intersections Time shift from all pedestrians crashes. (47% between 3 PM and 9 PM) No time of the year when pedestrian crashes peak, pretty even throughout the year. By far the largest group of pedestrians hit are aged 19 and under. Richard.Klepner@state.de.us Delaware Office of Highway Safety (302) 744-2743

Overall Picture – Fatalities (cont.) 79% occurred in dark conditions 54% in unlit conditions Saturday is the highest day for pedestrian crashes Sunday the lowest 55% of pedestrian crashes occur during daylight hours. Days of the week are similar to all crashes Responsibility about 50/50 for reportable pedestrian crashes Richard.Klepner@state.de.us Delaware Office of Highway Safety (302) 744-2743

Where are Fatal Crashes? Multi-lane, high speed roadways Richard.Klepner@state.de.us Delaware Office of Highway Safety (302) 744-2743

Pedestrian Actions Contributing 2012 - 2015 Richard.Klepner@state.de.us Delaware Office of Highway Safety (302) 744-2743

Pedestrian Under the Influence 26 pedestrians in 2015 were under the influence. (2 still pending) Only about 11% of pedestrians that are hit overall, are under the influence Richard.Klepner@state.de.us Delaware Office of Highway Safety (302) 744-2743

Speed Limit of Pedestrian Fatal Crashes The risk of a fatality increases slowly until around the speed of 30 mph Once above 30 mph the risk increases rapidly. You are 3.5 to 5.5 times more likely to be killed by a car going 40 mph than 30 mph. Richard.Klepner@state.de.us Delaware Office of Highway Safety (302) 744-2743

Richard. Klepner@state. de Richard.Klepner@state.de.us Delaware Office of Highway Safety (302) 744-2743

Pedestrian In A Crosswalk Richard.Klepner@state.de.us Delaware Office of Highway Safety (302) 744-2743

Focus Areas Rt. 13 by Dover Mall/Dover Downs Rt. 13 through Camden Rt. 8 through Dover Rt. 14 in Milford

Focus areas: Seaford/Laurel in previous enforcements Georgetown for possible future efforts

Beach Area Pedestrian Crashes (2012-2013)

Summary Delaware is not the only state seeing increases in pedestrian fatalities Still some missing pieces within the data. The pedestrian threats: Not in a crosswalk Pedestrian is under the influence Walking/crossing high speed, multilane highways Walking without reflective materials in dark – unlit conditions Richard.Klepner@state.de.us Delaware Office of Highway Safety (302) 744-2743

Sources Delaware State Police, Annual Statistical Report http://dsp.delaware.gov/reports.shtml Delaware Department of Transportation; Crash Analysis Reporting System (CARS) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; Fatal Analysis Reporting System (FARS) http://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/People/PeoplePedestrians.aspx Retting, Richard, Rothenberg, Heather; Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State: 2015 Preliminary Data; Governors Highway Safety Association http://www.ghsa.org/files/pubs/spotlights/spotlight_ped2015.pdf Richards, D.C., Relationship between Speed and Risk of Fatal Injury: Pedestrians and Car Occupants. Sept. 2010 http://nacto.org/docs/usdg/relationship_between_speed_risk_fatal_injury_pedestrians_ and_car_occupants_richards.pdf NHTSA, Quick Facts 2014, March 2016 http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/812234.pdf Pictures from WHYY video B-Roll provided to Summit Richard.Klepner@state.de.us Delaware Office of Highway Safety (302) 744-2743