Book Description
As more people walk and bike in their communities, there is a corresponding increase in the number of crashes with motor vehicles. In 2018, approximately 5,977 pedestrians and 783 cyclists’ deaths were reported in the U.S. Safety interventions to decrease motor vehicle crashes have included: roadway design; safety programs; and laws. However, there is still much that is unknown about the factors that impact motor vehicle crashes with pedestrians and cyclists. This study, centered on the socioecological framework, aimed to describe the pedestrian and cyclist motor vehicle crashes occurring in Wichita, Kansas from 2008 through 2019. Specifically, to identify factors associated with fatalities/serious injuries of pedestrians and cyclists. From 2008 through 2019, 2,015 motor vehicle crashes involving a pedestrian (48.6%, n=979) or cyclist (51.4%, n=1,036) were reported. On average, 168 (SD = 25.300) motor vehicle crashes with pedestrian and cyclist were reported each year. Broadway street or intersections (31.7%, n=171) had the most pedestrian (n=86) and cyclist (n=85) crashes over the 12-year time period. Of the total motor vehicle crashes that included injury information (n=1,957), 26.3% (n=256) resulted in a severe or fatal injury for a pedestrian (n=177) or cyclist (n=79). There were significant associations between pedestrian serious/fatal injuries and: pedestrian age, driver age, time of day, road characteristics, vehicle maneuver, vehicle damage, pedestrian location before impact, pedestrian substance abuse, and driver substance abuse. Additionally, there were significant associations between cyclist serious or fatal injuries and: cyclist sex, driver sex, time of day, surface condition, zone, vehicle maneuver, vehicle damage, and cyclist location before impact. Study findings suggest that the frequency of pedestrian and cyclist crashes in the city of Wichita either remained consistent or increased over the course of 12 years, underscoring a need for action to increase safety and implement plans and policy efforts to decrease crash prevalence.
