Spring is in full swing now and like many other people all around Connecticut, you may be enjoying walking and other activities outside again thanks to the good weather. Certainly the health benefits of walking and being active are known but sadly, there are also risks associated with things that require you to share the road with motor vehicles. Just how common are pedestrian accidents in Connecticut? How many people actually die as pedestrians in the state each year?
According to records from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Connecticut has experienced pedestrian fatalities every year between 2010 and 2014. Over these five years, between 26 and 47 pedestrians lost their lives every year statewide. These deaths represent a significant portion of all vehicular fatalities. In 2014, for example, 248 people died in all motor vehicle accidents. Of those 248, 47 were pedestrians. In 2013, 37 out of 286 total fatalities were pedestrians.
During this five-year span, New Haven, Hartford and Fairfield Counties lost the most number of pedestrians among all Connecticut counties. Specific data shows the following:
In New Haven County, 51 pedestrians died.
Hartford and Fairfield Counties lost 49 and 48 pedestrian lives, respectively.
In both Middlesex and New London Counties, there were 14 pedestrian deaths.
Tolland County recorded 13 pedestrian deaths.
Another 10 pedestrians lost their lives in Windham or Litchfield Counties.
Some reports include bicyclists with pedestrians but the NHTSA counts them separately. From 2010 to 2014, a total of 25 people riding bikes were killed in vehicular accidents across Connecticut.
This information is not intended to provide legal advice but general information about pedestrian fatalities in Connecticut.
