Pedestrian Deaths Drop 14% in 2025, But the State Still Has Work to Do

Something significant happened on America’s roads in the first half of 2025: people were safer walking them. According to a new data analysis from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), drivers struck and killed 3,024 people walking during the first half of 2025, which was an average of 16 per day. That’s an almost 11% decline from the same period the year before, and the largest single-year drop since GHSA began tracking pedestrian fatalities 15 years ago.

“While this recent safety momentum is positive, pedestrian deaths remain above the 2019 level, the last year before a steep rise in dangerous driving behaviors and traffic deaths caused by the pandemic,” the GHSA report concluded. The 10.9% drop translates to 371 fewer people killed while walking during those six months compared to the year prior. In other words, progress is real, but it’s not the finish line.

The 10.9% drop translates to 371 fewer people killed while walking during those six months compared to the year prior.

The national numbers give us a framework. But what’s happening here, in Arizona?

Pedestrian Fatalities in Arizona Decreased 14.4% from 2024 to 2025

Arizona outpaced the national average. According to the GHSA’s preliminary state-by-state data, Arizona recorded 113 pedestrian fatalities in the first half of 2025, down 19 deaths from 132 in the same period in 2024, which reflects a 14.4% reduction.

That’s meaningful progress. But it needs context.

Arizona’s pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 population was 1.55 in 2025, well above the national average of 0.90 and among the highest in the country. The GHSA report notes that Arizona is one of 10 states with fatality rates above 1.2 per 100,000 population. It’s a group that includes Florida, Nevada, Louisiana, and Mississippi — states where warmer climates and car-centric infrastructure have historically put pedestrians at greater risk.

The 2025 data show Arizona moving in the right direction. But one good six-month stretch doesn’t undo years of elevated risk, and it doesn’t bring back the people lost before the numbers started improving.

What Is Arizona Doing to Prevent Pedestrian Deaths?

The 14.4% drop didn’t happen by accident. Arizona has been investing in a layered approach to pedestrian safety across infrastructure, law enforcement, education, and technology. Here’s what that looks like on the ground.

Infrastructure Improvements

Phoenix has installed nearly 100 HAWK signals, which are hybrid beacons that allow pedestrians to stop traffic on busy roads where full intersections don’t exist.
Cities are expanding high-visibility crosswalk markings, including zebra and diagonal stripe patterns, and adding stop bars at major intersections to create clearer cues for drivers.
Speed bumps, raised crosswalks, roundabouts, and narrowed lanes are being deployed near high-traffic areas to physically reduce vehicle speeds.
Brighter, pedestrian-focused lighting is being installed in high-risk areas to improve nighttime visibility.
Sidewalk coverage is expanding in areas where pedestrians are currently forced to walk on road shoulders.

Law Enforcement and Policy

The City of Phoenix adopted a Road Safety Action Plan in 2022, committing $10 million annually toward eliminating traffic fatalities by 2050.
Phoenix has shifted from warnings to stricter enforcement of jaywalking laws, encouraging the consistent use of designated crosswalks.
Arizona is working to reduce speed limits to 25 mph on two-lane roads in areas without adequate pedestrian infrastructure.
Police are targeting high-risk pedestrian crash corridors during the evening hours — particularly between 6 and 9 p.m. — when fatalities spike.

Education and Technology

The “See Me AZ” campaign is a statewide initiative raising awareness of pedestrian and motorist responsibilities, from reducing distracted driving to encouraging reflective clothing at night.
Speed feedback signs (radar-enabled displays that show drivers their real-time speed) are being expanded statewide, with a proven track record of slowing traffic.
Arizona is piloting connected vehicle technology that allows cars and traffic lights to communicate, alerting drivers to potential hazards before a crash can occur.

Together, these strategies reflect what GHSA identifies as the most effective approach: reducing pedestrians’ exposure to crashes, lowering the likelihood of crashes occurring, and minimizing the severity of crashes that do happen.

How to Stay Safe When Walking, Cycling, or Driving in Arizona

The data is improving. The infrastructure is catching up. But right now, today, you’re the last line of defense between yourself and a driver who isn’t paying attention.

The See Me AZ campaign offers these pedestrian safety tips, all of them simple, none of them optional:

Heads up, cell phones down.
Cross at corners and intersections.
Before crossing, look left, right, then left again.
Cross only on the walk signal. If the red hand begins to flash or a countdown starts, do not begin to cross, as it’s both dangerous and illegal.
Watch for turning vehicles.
Be visible at night and in bad weather. Wear reflective or light-colored clothing and carry a flashlight.
Use sidewalks, or walk facing traffic where there are none.
After stepping off a bus, let it pull away first. Wait until you have a clear sightline before crossing.
Walk sober. Impairment affects judgment, reaction time, and visibility in ways that are easy to underestimate until it’s too late.

For cyclists: use designated bike lanes, obey traffic signals, and make yourself visible with lights and reflective gear, especially at dawn and dusk. For drivers: yield at all crosswalks, reduce speed in pedestrian-heavy areas, and put the phone away. The road works better when everyone on it is paying attention.

Were You or a Loved One Injured in a Pedestrian Accident?

Even as statewide numbers improve, pedestrian accidents are still happening every day, and the consequences can be life-changing. If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact us for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer at Bache Lynch Goldsmith & Mendoza.