Two SC metros among the deadliest in the US for pedestrians, says new report. Here’s why

Driving has become a necessary part of most people’s lives, making those who commute by foot or bicycle a statistical minority in our current landscape.

But driving in the U.S. is also dangerous, especially for pedestrians, who have to be extra vigilant as they navigate unsafe streets, according to a new report.

Smart Growth America, a national nonprofit coalition, released this year’s Dangerous by Design report, highlighting the increase in pedestrian fatalities across the country. There has been a 6% decrease in deaths between 2022 and 2024, which is an improvement, but the nation is still seeing a 72% increase in deaths since 2009.

“Our leaders are celebrating small improvements from historic deaths as some major victory, while thousands of people continue to be hit and killed while walking every year,” said Beth Osborne, President and CEO of Smart Growth America, in a press release. “If we were any other country, this would be treated as a national crisis. Instead, our leaders are quick to accept these deaths as a necessary aspect of our transportation system.”

The report ranks states and metro areas based on pedestrian deaths per 100k residents over a five-year timeframe (2020-2024). The year 2024 is the most recent year available for final federal data. Data show that 80% of the country’s largest metro areas have gotten more deadly over time.

South Carolina is an especially dangerous state for pedestrians, and two of its most well-known metros are among the deadliest in the country.

Here are the SC metros that made the ranking and the numbers that back it up:

SC’s deadliest metro areas

Charleston-North Charleston

The Charleston-North Charleston metro area is a popular place, but it’s also the most unsafe area for pedestrians in the state and ranks 12th in the country for its pedestrian fatality rate.

Its average annual pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 people (2020-2024) is 3.69. Between 2020 and 2024, there have been 154 pedestrian deaths. Between 2015 and 2019, there were only 125 pedestrian deaths.

Columbia

Out of 387 metro areas in the country, the Columbia metro area ranked 18th for its pedestrian fatality rate. Its average annual pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 people (2020-2024) is 3.32.

Between 2020 and 2024, there have been 141 pedestrian deaths. Between 2015 and 2019, there were only 119 pedestrian deaths.

SC’s rank

SC is the nation’s 4th deadliest state for pedestrians, according to the report. The average annual pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 people (2020-2024) is 3.37, and between 2020 and 2024, there have been 893 pedestrian deaths. Between 2015 and 2019, there were only 750 pedestrian deaths.

These are the top five deadliest states for pedestrians, including SC:

• #1. New Mexico: 4.42 average annual pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 people
• #2. Louisiana: 3.53 average annual pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 people
• #3. Arizona: 3.49 average annual pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 people
• #4. South Carolina: 3.37 average annual pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 people
• #5. Florida: 3.32 average annual pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 people