Older Pedestrian Deaths Stay High
A September 2026 report highlights that while older pedestrians are not injured more often, they are significantly more likely to die from vehicle collisions.
Older pedestrians are far more likely to die when struck by a vehicle than younger people, according to a September 2026 report. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that in 2023, more than 1,500 pedestrians aged 65 and older were killed, despite a similar injury rate across age groups.
Researchers attribute this disparity to several factors. Andrew Rundle, an epidemiologist at Columbia University, notes that older individuals move through intersections more slowly. Impaired hearing or vision can make them less likely to notice approaching vehicles. Reaction times also slow with age, reducing the ability to evade a turning or speeding car.
Physical Vulnerability and Stalled Progress
Physical frailty is a key factor. They have greater frailty, loss of muscle mass and fragile bones, Rundle said. The consequences of injuries are severe. Charles DiMaggio, an injury epidemiologist at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine, stated that a hip fracture in a 45-year-old is unfortunate, but in a 75-year-old, it's tragic.
Progress in reducing deaths has stalled. After a decline from 1975 to the mid-2000s, the fatality rate for pedestrians aged 70 and older has remained stubbornly flat for nearly 20 years, according to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety data cited by Rundle.
Rising Threats on the Road
Exposure is increasing. The National Health and Aging Trends Study indicates the proportion of older adults walking for exercise rose to 65% in 2023 from 60% in 2011. And we encourage them to, because quality of life includes daily physical activity, said Stephen Mooney, an injury epidemiologist at the University of Washington.
Vehicles have become more dangerous. The popularity of large SUVs and trucks, with their taller hoods and larger blind zones, contributes to rising fatalities. A new threat is the explosive growth of e-bikes, including heavier, faster models akin to motorcycles called e-motos.
From 2019 to 2022, the rate of e-bike injuries increased by nearly 300%, an analysis of emergency room data published in the American Journal of Public Health found. Noah Miterko of the trade association PeopleforBikes argued that e-motos need to be regulated like motor vehicles. National data on pedestrian risks from these micromobility vehicles is still lacking.
Preventative Strategies and Overlooked Factors
Alcohol is an often-overlooked factor. Among adult pedestrians killed in nighttime crashes, about a third had blood alcohol levels indicating intoxication; about 20% did during the day. Public health officials have cautioned that older adults are drinking more. It's almost a blind spot, Rundle said. We talk about drunk drivers a lot but less about inebriated pedestrians.
Prevention is possible. Laura Sandt, co-director of the Highway Safety Research Center at the University of North Carolina, said federal and local policies have evolved. More than 200 municipalities have adopted the Vision Zero approach, focusing on programs and environments that increase traffic safety.
A recent study found the risk of death for older pedestrians was substantially greater in areas with a high density of walkable senior destinations like hospitals, pharmacies, and community centers. This suggests targeting traffic safety strategies in such neighborhoods, similar to child safety efforts near schools.
Traffic safety shouldn't rely on a pedestrian's noticing a car coming and jumping out of the way, said Mooney. Our job is to make the system safer for all ages and capacities.
