New report claims Texans aged 55 and older more likely to die when walking

by PegNews wire

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