CHARLOTTE, N.C. – North Carolina saw more people hit and killed by cars during the first half of 2024 compared to the same time period in 2023, according to a report by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA).

What You Need To Know

  • GHSA projects 3,304 pedestrians were killed on U.S. roads between January and June in 2024
  • Pedestrian deaths across the country are down nearly 3%
  • North Carolina was one of several states to see an increase in pedestrian deaths

Deaths in North Carolina from January to June in 2024 rose nearly 30%, according to the report. 

Nationally, however, the report, which projects drivers hit and killed 3,304 pedestrians on U.S. roads during that same time period, said incidents were down nearly 3%.

North Carolina is one of several states in the country to see an increase in pedestrian deaths.             

Eric Zaverl, an urban design specialist with Sustain Charlotte, says he’s always aware of his surroundings when he’s walking around his neighborhood in the Queen City.

“I’m either looking left or right or behind me,” Zaverl said. “And making sure that if I’m in the intersection crossing, somebody is not turning and not paying attention.”

The increase comes as cities like Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh are trying to use “Vision Zero” initiatives to reduce and eliminate serious injuries and deaths on North Carolina roads.

Vision Zero aims to implement solutions such as lowering speed limits and installing protected crosswalks.

Zaverl says change isn’t going to happen overnight.

“You can’t just do one thing,” Zaverl said. “If you build more sidewalks and focus you efforts on that, that’s not going to solve the problem… you have to do a multitude of different things, and it’s going to take time.”  

The latest numbers might be encouraging news for the country. However, pedestrian deaths are still up 48% since 2014. They’ve risen at a rate nearly 7 times faster than population growth.

Zaverl says he would like to see more investments in infrastructure, such as sidewalks, bike lanes and public transit.

“As long as we focus on service, our transit, and provide an equivalent, fast, timely, convenient way of moving, then we’re going to start moving people out of cars,” Zaverl said.

In its report, the Governors Highway Safety Association said, “Continued progress in reducing the number of pedestrian fatalities will take a combined approach of reducing pedestrian exposure to traffic, slowing vehicle speeds, improving visibility, ramping up education and enforcement, designing safer vehicles, and improving post-crash care.”