Crash Facts

Pedestrian-vehicle crash trends

• Pedestrian-vehicle crash rates are highest during morning and evening rush hours. The number of severe crashes spikes at 2 a.m.
• October is traditionally the deadliest month for pedestrians.
• The majority of crashes occur at intersections. Of these, the majority are at signalized intersections.
• The majority of crashes occur on low-speed roadways (35 mph or less) and in urbanized areas, particularly Hennepin and Ramsey counties. The most severe and fatal crashes disproportionately occur in rural areas compared to population size.
• Pedestrians are found at fault for half of pedestrian-vehicle crashes. Motorists are found at fault for the other half.
  • Motorist behaviors that primarily cause pedestrian-vehicle crashes include failure to yield, inattention and distraction.
  • Pedestrian behaviors that primarily cause pedestrian-vehicle crashes include inattention, crossing mid-block, walking along the roadway and ignoring sign or signals.
• About one-third of pedestrians tested in fatal crashes have high alcohol content in their bloodstreams.

Pedestrian fatalities/injuries

• In 2011, there were 857 crashes in which a pedestrian was injured or killed by a motor vehicle. That is a six percent increase from the previous year.
• In 2011, 40 pedestrians were killed and 859 pedestrians were injured on Minnesota roads.
• Five percent of all pedestrian crashes resulted in a death, compared to one-half of one percent of all traffic crashes resulting in a death.
• In 2011, persons less than 25 years of age accounted for 18 percent of pedestrians killed and 40 percent of pedestrians injured.