• Fairfax County leads the nation with the lowest pedestrian fatality rate at 0.05 per 100,000 residents.

• Collin County and Middlesex County rank second and third, reporting 0.62 and 0.83 fatalities per 100,000 residents, respectively.

• Conversely, San Bernardino County stands at 4.63 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents, making it the most dangerous county across the United States.

A new study highlighted that Fairfax County sets the gold standard for pedestrian safety, as it reports the lowest rate of pedestrian fatalities relative to its population across the U.S.

The research conducted by Steve Gimblin Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers analyzed data from the NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) via the CDAN database (2019–2023). The study measured and ranked each county based on the number of pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents to identify which counties provide the safest environments for pedestrians.

Fairfax, Virginia, leads the ranking with an annual average of 0.05 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents, which is 98.0% lower than the national average of 2.54. This Virginia county, with a population of 1,147,016, reported an average of just 1 pedestrian fatality annually. The highest fatality years were 2019, 2021, and 2022 with 1 case each, while 2020 and 2023 recorded 0 cases.

Collin, Texas, ranks second with an annual average of 0.62 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents, which is 75.6% lower than the national average of 2.54. With an average of 8 pedestrian fatalities among a population of 1,268,087, this Texas county demonstrates exceptional pedestrian safety infrastructure. The highest fatality year was 2023 with 17 cases, while the lowest was 2019 with 4 cases.

Middlesex, Massachusetts, ranks third with an annual average rate of 0.83 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents, which is 67.3% lower than the national average of 2.54. This Massachusetts county, with a population of 1,638,268, reported an average of 14 pedestrian fatalities. The highest fatality year was 2022 with 20 cases, while the lowest was 2023 with 10 cases.

A spokesperson from Steve Gimblin Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers commented on the findings:

“According to the study, counties like Fairfax, Collin, and Middlesex demonstrate the highest standards of pedestrian safety infrastructure and urban planning.

“Low pedestrian fatality rates in counties with both large and diverse populations reveal a successful implementation of safety measures that protect vulnerable road users. These findings underscore a critical achievement in traffic safety – when fatality rates fall below the national average by more than 75%, it demonstrates that comprehensive pedestrian protection programs, including well-designed crosswalks, adequate lighting, and traffic calming measures, can save lives and create safer communities for everyone.”

Denton, Texas, takes the fourth spot with an annual average of 0.94 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents, which is 63.0% lower than the national average of 2.54. With 10 pedestrian fatalities reported on average among 1,067,589 residents, this Texas county shows substantial commitment to pedestrian safety. The highest fatality years were 2020 and 2023 with 14 cases each, while the lowest was 2019 with 3 cases.

Westchester, New York, ranks fifth with an annual average rate of 1.05 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents, which is 58.7% lower than the national average of 2.54. This New York county, with a population of 988,979, recorded an average of 10 pedestrian fatalities. The highest fatality year was 2022 with 16 cases, while the lowest was 2020 with 9 cases.

Hennepin County ranks sixth with a rate of 1.19 per 100,000, followed by Allegheny County in seventh with 1.19. New York County ranks eighth with 1.32, Bronx County ranks ninth with 1.36, and Montgomery County, in the tenth spot, reports 1.40 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents.

Table of Extended Results:

The study was conducted by Steve Gimblin Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, a California-based law firm representing victims of car, truck, and motorcycle accidents. Led by experienced attorney Steve Gimblin, the firm helps injured clients navigate complex insurance claims and legal battles to secure the compensation and justice they deserve.

Methodology

The study analyzed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) accessed via the CDAN database (2019–2023). The study measured and ranked each county based on the number of pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents to identify which counties provide the safest environments for pedestrians.

Data Sources

• • Pedestrian fatality data: https://cdan.dot.gov/query

• Research Dataset: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10KzSvFGLu7f0mdWVRhmp1h3bkeGJNvLT16DcMe-rbQA/edit?gid=0#gid=0 

• Study by: https://yubalaw.com/