Walking is getting more dangerous all the time. Pedestrian deaths are up 80% in the past 15 years. A new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety examined this alarming rise. Conducted with the Collaborative Sciences Center for Road Safety, it focused on pedestrian fatalities in Albuquerque, Charlotte, and Memphis.

The findings were clear. Most pedestrian deaths happen in low-income urban areas, often miles from city centers, and usually at night. Nearly all of the increase since 2009 has occurred in darkness and on urban arterial roads—major streets designed to move traffic quickly but often lacking pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.

Where and when pedestrian deaths happen

More than half of pedestrian fatalities occurred over four miles from the city center, mostly on high-speed roads without proper sidewalks, crosswalks, or lighting. “A disproportionate number of these pedestrian deaths occurred in socially and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods,” the report states. Many residents in these areas rely on walking to reach public transportation, increasing their risk.

Another issue is road ownership. Many of the most dangerous roads are controlled by state agencies, restricting local governments from making safety improvements. “Local officials are often unable to make changes to or implement countermeasures on these roads,” the study explains.

Why are pedestrian deaths rising?

Several factors contribute to the rise. High-speed roads without pedestrian access are a major one. Poor lighting makes them even more hazardous. The study found that “higher levels of neighborhood social vulnerability were consistently associated with increased pedestrian fatal crash rates both during all times of the day and specifically on arterials during darkness.”

Larger vehicles with bigger blind spots, distracted driving, and pedestrian behaviors also play a role. Modern trucks tower over the average vehicle from 2009, making it harder to see pedestrians. The iPhone’s first full year was 2008—since then, smartphones have become a major distraction. The study states, “A variety of factors have been implicated, including increased distraction due to electronic device use among drivers and pedestrians, the increasing size and popularity of sport utility vehicles, and increased alcohol impairment among drivers and pedestrians.”

What can be done?

AAA recommends a “Safe System approach” that anticipates human mistakes and designs roads to reduce crash severity. This means safer crosswalks, better lighting, lower speed limits, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. “If safety is truly a top priority for decision-makers, we should expect greater investments in historically underinvested communities where a disproportionate number of pedestrians are hit and killed,” the study urges.

It’s not all doom and gloom. Some cities are making real improvements.

One example of a local solution is Charlotte, North Carolina. “Charlotte has overcome this challenge by taking over ownership of many arterial roads from NCDOT. This has given the City of Charlotte more latitude to make changes directly for pedestrian safety, such as reducing speed limits,” the study notes.

Until major infrastructure changes happen, pedestrians should take precautions. Stick to well-lit areas, use crosswalks when possible, and assume drivers don’t see you. AAA advises drivers, “Drive with extra caution at night, as this is the riskiest time for pedestrians and when vehicle safety systems struggle the most.” Most importantly, drivers should know their vehicle’s blind spots. Don’t rely on automatic emergency braking—especially at higher speeds.