Pedestrians are vulnerable road users and suffer the most severe consequences in collisions with other road users, because they are unprotected against the speed and mass of the crash opponent.
About 15 - 25% of all journeys are undertaken on foot. Some groups walk more than others. Age groups for which walking is particularly common are children and seniors. Half of all pedestrian fatalities in Europe are aged 65 or over. In particular, from 70 years on, the number of pedestrian fatalities increases significantly.
Pedestrians comprise just under 20% of all road deaths in the EU, a proportion that has declined slightly over the last decade. The number of pedestrians killed declined by around 30% between 2012 and 2022. Most pedestrian crashes occur in urban areas: pedestrians account for 38% of all road deaths in such areas. Cars account for over 70% of vehicles hitting pedestrians. Most crashes involving pedestrians occur while crossing the road and frequently at pedestrian crossings which are usually the location at which roads are most often crossed.
The factors identified as contributing to pedestrian crashes are: the road environment; lack or design of crossing facilities; speed of motorised vehicles; their weight and design; the unprotectedness of pedestrians; their (lack of) visibility; and finally the attitudes and behaviours (including intoxication) of all road users.
Countermeasures:
- Land-use planning, improving connectivity, assigning space for pedestrians and physically separating them from motor traffic.
- Good speed management and a default speed limit of 30 km/h in urban areas.
- Implementing safe walking routes, area-wide traffic calming, and improved crossing facilities.
- Good street lighting and the promotion of reflective devices for pedestrians to improve their visibility.
- Vehicle measures, including lowering car mass, a pedestrian-friendly car front, intelligent speed assistance to enforce low speeds, pedestrian detection linked to automatic emergency breaking, and improved viewing conditions for trucks and buses.
- Education and training for motorists as well as ample opportunities for children to safely practice their pedestrian skills.
- Legal framework and enforcement, to ensure safe behaviour by motorists and pedestrians.