ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – St. Louis County experienced more pedestrian deaths last year than it has in any other previous calendar year, according to new data released earlier this week.
This was one of the key findings from Trailnet’s “2023 St. Louis City & County Crash Report.” Trailnet is a local nonprofit that aims to promote walking, bicycling and public transit and aims to release regional crash reports each year.
According to Trailnet, drivers fatally struck 28 people walking in St. Louis County last year. Citing data from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Trailnet says it’s the county’s largest number of walking pedestrian deaths for one year on record.
The report adds that around 86% of fatal pedestrian crashes in St. Louis County happened on roads with speed limits marked 30 miles per hour or higher.
The report suggests that more access to driver safety education and stronger laws to hold people accountable for reckless driving could help reverse the rise in pedestrian deaths.
“We need a coordinated and comprehensive response from County leaders, organizers and advocates to halt this devastating trend,” said Trailnet in its newest report.
Trailnet also reported of eight fatal pedestrian crashes in the City of St. Louis last year.
