Pedestrians have represented 12-17 percent of all U.S. motor vehicle deaths since 1975.
Pedestrian deaths are a major problem in large urban areas.
Pedestrians account for about 35 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities in cities with a population exceeding 1 million. Reasons for these steep declines aren't fully known, but they probably in part reflect changes in the amount and type of pedestrian exposure. Based on population, children younger than age 16 are most likely to be struck by motor vehicles. Pedestrians ages 10-15 have the highest nonfatal injury rates. Elderly pedestrians, though less frequently struck than children, are more likely to die after being struck.