Men Account For 70% Of All Deaths Due To Pedestrian Accidents

It is a staggering statistic really, but according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) 70% of all deaths due to pedestrian accidents involve men.  The 70% number accounts for nearly 4,200 deaths per year.  While this top line number is staggering, it doesn’t tell the whole picture.  Men are certainly far more likely then women to be killed in an auto accident that involves a pedestrian, but which men are the MOST likely.  Digging into the numbers we find some really interesting statistics.

• The rate of fatalities overall for men is 2.6 deaths per 100,000 population
• The death rate for males 55-59 is 2.81 per 100,000 population
• The death rate for males 75-79 is 2.71 per 100,000 population
• The highest death rate for any group was among males 80 and older who had a death rate of 4.55 fatalities per 100,000 population

It is this last group that we want to focus on today, the population of seniors who are 80 years old and older.  As we age we have a tendency to lose our sight and our hearing as well as become less steady on our feet, this can lead to devastating consequences when we are out as pedestrians in a busy city like New Haven.  The other reason that males are more likely to get into an accident is that they are also less likely to admit when they are having issues with aging then women are.

The good news is there are some things we can do to help all of our friends and family who are aging to stay safe when out walking through the streets of our city.  As drivers we can slow down at crosswalks and busy intersections, especially those near senior centers and hospitals.  Drivers can also be sure to signal when turning and breaking.

If you are a caretaker of an individual who is still able to get out and about, you will want to ensure that he has the proper clothing to be moving throughout the city, in some cases he is accompanied when he ventures out.  You can make clear to the person you are caring for that you are doing your part to ensure that he stays safe and is still able to be mobile.

Our loved ones can often be stubborn about their aging and the challenges that they face as they get older, but it is so critical to be attune to their health to ensure that they stay safe for many years to come.  If you or a loved one were injured in a New Haven pedestrian accident, contact our office immediately and we will review your case.