Orlando Metro Area Ranked Worst in the Country for Pedestrian Accidents

The Orlando Sentinel reported what many people living in Central Florida have known for years—the Orlando metropolitan area has the most dangerous streets in the United States for pedestrians in metro areas with at least one million people. The Transportation for America and the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership issued a report recently that didn’t surprise one area science teacher who routinely runs and rides her bicycle in the area.

“The drivers are definitely not paying attention,” said the 39-year-old middle school instructor. “You have to expect every car on the road not to follow the rules.”

The report, aptly named “Dangerous by Design: Solving the Epidemic of Preventable Pedestrian Deaths (And Making Great Neighborhoods),” illustrates the problem in and around Orlando and much of the country. Wide roads designed and constructed for speeding cars and trucks makes crossing difficult for pedestrians, bicyclists and people with disabilities.

In the Central Florida counties of Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Lake in 2007–2008, 115 people were killed after being struck by cars and trucks. “The few people who do walk in Orlando face a relatively high risk of being killed,” noted the 84-page study.

Using data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, state pedestrian accident data indicated that 66 pedestrians died in Orange County in 2007–2008. This number breaks down to 66 in Orange County, 18 in Lake County, 16 in Osceola County and 15 in Seminole County. Seminole, Orange, Lake and Osceola counties had 1,887 crashes involving motor vehicles and pedestrians.

Of those numbers of people killed in pedestrian accidents, at least 12 were children and at least 17 were 65 years of age or older. In addition to those killed, another 839 pedestrians were injured, and that number includes 181 who suffered serious injuries because of pedestrian accidents.

Vehicles on Central Florida roads struck at least 942 bicyclists, killing 30 of them. Around 9,000 people across the country died trying to cross the street or walk along them in 2007-2008.

“What we have is the equivalent of a jumbo jet falling out of the sky every month, but it’s just not getting much attention,” said David Goldberg, a Transportation for America representative.

Orlando pedestrian accident attorney James O. Cunningham has been helping pedestrian accident victims and their families since 1977. A strong advocate for pedestrian safety, he has helped countless victims recover fair compensation for their injuries and loss. If you are one of the hundreds of people hit by cars and trucks in the Orlando metro area, call the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham today.