Dying While Walking More Likely With Age: Study

Older pedestrians at greatest risk of being struck in NJ: study

A group that studies transportation issues in New Jersey, southern New York and Connecticut finds the risk of being killed while walking rises with age.

The Tri-State Campaign says older pedestrians are more than twice as likely to be killed by cars or trucks than those under age 60.

In a report issued Wednesday, the group found older people are less agile and may be unable to quickly get out of the way of oncoming vehicles. Crosswalk signals sometimes change too quickly to accommodate older pedestrians.

Two-thirds of the older people who are killed die on roads with two or more lanes in either direction.

In Atlantic County, New Jersey, alone people 75 or older made up 12.5-percent of pedestrian deaths despite making up only 6.5 percent of the total population, according to the study.

The Tri-State Campaign recommends keeping pedestrians in mind when designing new roads and making the most dangerous intersections more senior-friendly.


Fan, follow and download: Get the latest from NBC10.com anytime, anywhere. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, our mobile site and NBC Philadelphia. Sign up for our breaking news newsletter. And, get breaking news delivered right to your mobile phone -- just text PHIBREAKING to 639710 to sign up. (Message and data rates may apply.)

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us