During the first half of 2025, pedestrian deaths declined 11 percent compared to the year before but remained above the 2019 level, according to recent Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) data analysis. Drivers killed 3,024 pedestrians, an average of 16 daily.
The drop is the largest decrease since GHSA began tracking fatalities 15 years ago and equates to 371 fewer deaths than the first half of 2024.
“Each pedestrian death is so much more than just a number,” GHSA CEO Jonathan Adkins said. “Each one is a family member, friend or neighbor that no one will be able to hug, see or share time with ever again. While we are pleased with the progress shown in the data, the only acceptable number of traffic deaths is zero.”
The analysis also found:
There were 1.86 fatalities per billion per vehicle miles traveled.
The pedestrian fatality rate measured per 100,000 population declined to 0.90.
Pedestrian fatalities remained the same in three states, decreased in 23 states and Washington D.C., and increased in 24 states.
The total financial cost of the fatalities exceeded $40 billion.
GHSA is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.