Jacksonville is fourth most deadly city for pedestrians

[thelakelander]

We just made the top 5 on a national list.....

Jacksonville is fourth most deadly city for pedestrians

Jacksonville is the fourth most dangerous city in the country for pedestrians, according to a new study released Monday by a Washington D.C.-based transportation advocacy group.

The study, released by Transportation for America, found that Jacksonville was also the fourth most dangerous Florida city, behind the metropolitan areas of Orlando-Kissimmee, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, and Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach.

The study was based on what the group calls a "pedestrian danger index," which calculated the average pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 residents over a two-year period and the percentage of people who walk to work. Only metro areas with a population of more than one million were counted in this study.

Jacksonville had an average of 2.61 deaths per 100,000 population. This was the country's fifth- rate, behind the three Florida areas and New Orleans. Jacksonville rated higher overall than new Orleans because it has a lower percentage of people who walk to work.

Transportation for America said the study demonstrates the need for more spending on pedestrian safety.

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-11-09/story/jacksonville_is_fourth_most_deadly_city_for_pedestrians

[thelakelander]

Most dangerous major U.S. cities for walking

1. Orlando-Kissimmee

2. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater

3. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach

4. Jacksonville

5. Memphis

6. Raleigh-Cary, N.C.

7. Louisville/Jefferson County, KY/IN

8. Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, Texas

9. Birmingham-Hoover, Ala.

10. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, Ga.


Florida's most dangerous cities for walking

(Regardless of size)

1. Punta Gorda

2. Sebastian-Vero Beach

3. Ocala

4. Panama-City-Lynn Haven

5. Orlando-Kissimmee

6. Lakeland-Winter Haven

7. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater

8. Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville

9. Cape Coral-Fort Myers

10. Palm Coast

Sources: Transportation For America and the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership

[fsu813]

1) how are we not in the top 10 in the state, yet 4th nationally? that doesn't jive

2) these lists are dumb. who knows if they are accurate or not. seem like about 1/2 the time they aren't.

[Lunican]

It's not surprising that the four worst cities are all in Florida.

On the bright side, I guess we could say Jax is the safest city in Florida for pedestrians.

[Lunican]

1) how are we not in the top 10 in the state, yet 4th nationally? that doesn't jive

The national list probably only includes cities of a certain size.

[thelakelander]

Your metro area has to have more than 1 million residents to make the list.  Congrats Jax!  We're the most walkable large city in Florida.  Its sort of like being in the coolest section of hell.

[Captain Zissou]

I almost hit a lady this morning.  She was in a wheel chair with two dogs.  As I got close one of the dogs ran back towards traffic and pulled her within a few feet of oncoming traffic.  SCARY!!

[ac]

This works both ways.  We need to teach drivers that pedestrians have the right of way -and- teach people to walk/jog against traffic and cross the road at a crosswalk.  It frightens me to see folks, mostly kids, darting between stopped cars to cross Monument Rd @ Atlantic to get to the mall.  They're literally 20 feet from the crosswalk, and could easily cross with the light rather than risk getting pancaked by some jackhole in a Suburban.  This is a regular occurrence at other intersections closer to my home as well.

The city needs to start citing pedestrians for jaywalking and motorists for not stopping before pulling into the crosswalk (basically running a STOP/red light).  They might be able to make up some of their lost tax revenue and prevent serious injury or deaths.

More sidewalks in both directions on busy roads would be a plus as well.  Crazy idea, I know.

[copperfiend]

This works both ways.  We need to teach drivers that pedestrians have the right of way.

I honestly don't think most drivers in this town realize this. Watch a driver making a right turn on green when somebody is trying to cross the crosswalk.

[Johnny]

2 times in the Top 10 in one week, we rule! (see environment thread).

[Cricket]

A double whammy!
One of the least walkable cities.
One of the most deadly cities for walkers. 
Would a more walkable city be more deadly or less deadly?

[Sportmotor]

We just made the top 5 on a national list.....

Come on guys!! We can do better then that! I will do my part to help make sure we are #1 

[Omarvelous09]

Figures...People don't consider pedestrians important in Florida. SUV's are a vital part of our community....without them how would we exist??   

[urbanlibertarian]

copperfiend wrote "I honestly don't think most drivers in this town realize this. Watch a driver making a right turn on green when somebody is trying to cross the crosswalk."

I've seen open hostility towards pedestrians in the crosswalk doing everything right just because they were delaying a vehicle that wanted to turn.  And this was downtown where pedestrians should be expected.  Just imagine how it will be at the future roundabout in front of the Landing.

[CS Foltz]

Well supposedly "Roundabouts" are one of the safest methods there are to control traffic flow...........I say lets go one step further.....add a pedestrian lane and may the fastest win! You do realize that I am yanking your chains right? Pedestrians in the crosswalks that are green lighted to cross do have the right of way under Florida Law and I don't care just how impatient any vehicle gets.....they have to give way period!