Thursday, October 4, 2007
New report claims Texans aged 55 and older more likely to die when walking
Email
|
Print
|
Tell us your story
|
Comment (1)
|
DALLAS Older Texans are especially more likely to be killed in auto-pedestrian accidents while walking, according to a new report which analyzed each pedestrian fatality that occurred in Texas between 2002-2005.
The report was produced by Walk Well Texas, a project funded by the Texas Department of Transportation. AARP Texas collaborated by conducting pedestrian safety audits. The full report is available here.
Between 2002-2005, the overall pedestrian fatality rate in Texas was 2.0 per 100,000 population, exceeding the national average of 1.7 per 100,000 population. Among Texans ages 55 and older, the pedestrian fatality rate was 2.7 per 100,000 population, a rate 35 percent higher than the already-elevated state rate of pedestrian fatality.
"We must do better at designing communities that have safe streets and roads for older adults and pedestrians of all ages," said AARP Texas State Director Bob Jackson. "Pedestrian safety and mobility are key elements of livable communities, and pedestrian deaths and injuries are growing problems."
Harris and Dallas counties, the state's two most populous counties, had the highest raw numbers of older adults killed while walking as a result of auto-pedestrian accidents. However, as a ratio, El Paso County led the seven largest metropolitan counties with more than 500,000 in population with a ratio of 4.58 per 100,000.
Source: AARP Texas
See more stories in:
Find...
Today
Prime Rib Night Nothing like a little old 14-ounce slab of bloody red meat to make you wake up the next day a card-carrying vegetarian. More info
Latest comments
- Kevin Kunreuther on Dallas ISD teachers dissatisfied with new rules for grading: If I may add commentary from the late George Carlin: relevant starts at 0:20 mark and moves on at 1:...
- vinnyv on Detroit Tigers 11, Texas Rangers 3: Damnit Rangers. I love ya, but I hate ya. In other news, the FW Cats made the playoffs… …anyone ...
- lochranns on FC Dallas: Come join us at Lochrann’s (across from Pizza Hut Park) for every away game - viewing party. Go FC D...
- gospain on Boudreaux's Cajun Kitchen opening in Richardson in September, Arlington in December: Is Bordeaux’s Cajun Kitchen on par with Pappadeaux’s?...
Latest reviews
- larrycasino on Molly's Burgers and Shakes: 

Comments
OpusthePoet Anonymous
That would probably be because old people are more likely as a group to walk for exercise, and Texas treatment of pedestrians is abysmal. Only in this "great" state is the muddy strip at the side of the road considered a "sidewalk". Everywhere else it's called "the ditch". At least in Tennessee (where I used to live and my relatives bodies are buried, except for the one or 2 still breathing) pedestrians are allowed the 12 inches at the side of the road (or they were when I left during the Reagan administration).
Opus
10 months, 2 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Post a comment
(Requires free PegasusNews.com account.)