New Study Exposes American States With the Highest Pedestrian Deaths Occurring at Intersections

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• New York ranks first in the analysis, with 44.48% of pedestrian fatalities happening at intersections between 2018 and 2022.
• New Jersey follows in second place with 41.64% of pedestrian deaths, while Minnesota holds third position with 37.89%.
• West Virginia places last in the assessment, with just 5.47% of pedestrian fatalities occurring at intersections.

A recent analysis reveals that New York has the highest percentage of pedestrian deaths in fatal crashes occurring at intersections during a five-year assessment period.

Personal injury firm DeMayo Law Office evaluated fatal crash statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) covering 2018 through 2022. The analysis calculated the yearly percentage of pedestrian fatalities at intersections, with the combined percentage across 2018-2022 determining each state’s ranking from highest to lowest.

New York topped the rankings with 44.48% of pedestrian fatalities occurring at intersections. Among 1,367 total pedestrian deaths in fatal crashes from 2018 to 2022, 608 pedestrians were at intersections when killed. The highest proportion occurred in 2018, when 51.87% of pedestrian fatalities—more than half—happened at intersections.

New Jersey secured second position with 41.64% of pedestrian deaths occurring at intersections. Out of 915 total pedestrian fatalities from 2018 to 2022, 381 pedestrians were killed at intersections. The state’s highest percentage of intersection-related pedestrian fatalities was 46.82%, recorded in 2018.

Minnesota achieved third place with 37.89% of pedestrian deaths occurring at intersections. Among 227 total pedestrian fatalities from 2018 to 2022, 86 pedestrians were killed at the intersections. The highest proportion was observed in 2022, when 41.86% of pedestrian deaths happened at intersections.

Utah claimed fourth position with 37.44% of pedestrian fatalities occurring at intersections. Out of 195 total pedestrian deaths from 2018 to 2022, 73 pedestrians were killed at intersections. The state’s highest percentage of intersection-related pedestrian fatalities was 46.67%, recorded in 2022.

Nevada secured fifth place with 34.29% of pedestrian deaths occurring at intersections. Among 385 total pedestrian fatalities from 2018 to 2022, 132 pedestrians were killed at intersections. The highest proportion was observed in 2021, when 38.75% of pedestrian deaths happened at intersections.

Additional states in the top ten include Massachusetts, Colorado, Nebraska, Alaska, and Connecticut.

West Virginia ranked last in the analysis, with 5.47% of pedestrian fatalities occurring at intersections. Among 128 total pedestrian deaths from 2018 to 2022, only seven pedestrians were documented as being at intersections when killed.

Michael DeMayo, CEO of DeMayo Law Office, offered his perspective on the findings:

“It’s troubling to observe such high percentages of pedestrian fatalities that could have been readily prevented in these states. Intersections typically experience numerous accidents because they demand heightened awareness as vehicles approach from multiple directions.

“Pedestrians should try to avoid crossing or spending time at intersections when possible, unless dedicated pedestrian crosswalks are available nearby. We’re hopeful that future data will demonstrate an overall reduction in these types of pedestrian-vehicle fatalities.”

Top 10 U.S. States With the Highest Percentage of Fatal Pedestrian Crashes At Intersections

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