By: Georgia Lobb
Green drops represent pedestrians killed under the age of 15 years. Blue drops: Aged 16-59. Purple: Older than 60 years. From the Tri-State Transportation Campaign. View a larger, more detailed map here.
The non-profit advocacy organization Tri-State Transportation Campaign issued a report this afternoon showing that 100 pedestrians were killed on roads in the three years from 2009 through 2011 in Connecticut.
The three deadliest counties listed in CT for pedestrians are New Haven County with 26 fatalities, Hartford County with 25 fatalities, and Fairfield County with 23.
Pierce Ford, a Fairfield native, weighs in on being a local pedestrian. “In Fairfield County it’s interesting because there is a lot of traffic consisting of nice cars that are going way too fast, the roads are winding, there are hills, and the weather can change at a moment’s notice,” he said.
The deadliest road in is Connecticut recorded as Fairfield’s own Route 1, otherwise known Post Road. Six pedestrians have been killed there from 2009-2011.
Post Road is what’s classified as “an arterial road”, which means it has two or more lanes in either direction that are made for traffic of 40 mph or higher. These types of roads “are the most deadly for pedestrians, with almost 60 percent of pedestrian deaths in Connecticut, New Jersey and downstate New York,” according to the report.
Another disconcerting fact: “Examining pedestrian fatalities from 2008 through 2010, the Campaign found that among pedestrian fatalities in New Haven, Stamford, New Britain, Waterbury, and Meriden, almost 52 percent —51 out of 99— occurred within ¼ mile of a CT Transit bus stop.” Clearly, the traffic around these bus stops — and the design of walkways, sidewalks and/or crosswalks for pedestrians, is problematic.
Some good news: these statistics actually show a decrease in numbers of pedestrians killed as compared to 2008-2010. During that period, 121 pedestrians lost their lives on Connecticut roads.
State legislators and transportation advocates alike agree that something needs to be done in order to protecting pedestrian safety.
“We need to commit resources to making our roads safer and ensure that all users are able to walk, bike or drive without fear for their lives,” said State Representative Roland Lamar, according to TSTC. “We must further commit to stronger enforcement of traffic laws that target careless, distracted or dangerous drivers…. We should never top this list again. ”