Evidence of the Problem
In 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that over 7,000 persons died and over 60,000 were injured in traffic crashes in the United States. Over 70% of these fatalities were men (Centers for Disease Control, 2021) and occurred at non-intersections in
urbanized areas (National Safety Council, 2021). African American and Hispanics are at increased risk of pedestrian fatalities in underserved areas (Raifman et al, 2022). Additionally, NHTSA concludes that children between ages 10-14 have the highest estimated pedestrian injury rate.
South Carolina ranks 4th in the nation for pedestrian fatalities (NHTSA, 2021). In 2021 the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) reported most crashes occurred on dry roads, with clear weather conditions, and during daylight hours.
Locally, Richland and Lexington counties are in South Carolina’s midlands region and rank in the top ten counties for fatal and serious pedestrian injury involved crashes according to the 2025 Highway Safety Funding Guidelines document. In 2021, the two counties combined accounted for 181 of the
pedestrian-related crashes in the state (SCDPS). According to SCDPS 2018-2022 data, both counties follow the national trend of more men and African Americans being involved in pedestrian crashes. During the same time span in Richland County, the Columbia Police Department responded to over 300 pedestrian-related collisions. In Lexington County, Cayce and West Columbia police departments responded to 111 pedestrian-related collisions combined. The 2018 Central Midlands Council of
Governments’ Population Projections Report predicts a steady annual population growth for both counties (Richland 1.8%, Lexington 2.7%), thus illustrating that there will be increased overall road usage over the coming years.
With walking as one of the most basic forms of transportation and recreation, it is vital that pedestrian safety education be deployed in both counties and that the most vulnerable minority and immigrant communities are targeted. The Governors Highway Safety Association’s 2021 Analysis of Traffic Fatalities by Race and Ethnicity recommends to “tailor and develop with BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color) input safety education campaigns and outreach efforts to address the
needs and culture of BIPOC communities. This ensures these campaigns are culturally relevant, use appropriate distribution channels/methods and are delivered by individuals who are representative of the people they are attempting to reach.” A community-based organization (CBO) is best situated to
provide such education and outreach.