Living that Pedestrian Lifestyle? These are the Safest Cities for You
City living can be rough on a pedestrian. Uneven ground, constant construction, bicyclists on sidewalks and oblivious drivers are just a few of the threats to a walker’s safety. So where do you go, when you’re the type who prefers to get around on their own two feet?
According to a Liberty Mutual Insurance study, those relying on their legs to get them around should probably consider living in Seattle, Boston, or Washington, DC.
Their study analyzed pedestrian fatality rates and also polled 2,500 U.S. adults in order to gauge actual and perceived dangers to walkers in different parts of the country. Seattle, Washington, came out on top, with an astonishing average of under 10 pedestrian deaths per year for a whopping 108,000 commuters who travel by foot or mass transit. The city’s initiatives to keep pedestrians safe — including adding more than 500 crosswalks and bumping up the number of speed cameras in school zones — are chief among the reasons for the city’s perceived and actual safety. Of adults polled, 96% believed that Seattle is safe for pedestrians.
Interestingly, cities that have historically faced complaints of unsafe driving, and those with proven bad track records, came out in Liberty Mutual’s top 15 safe places for those who walk. It may be possible that city measures are also responsible for that dichotomy — New York City, for example, has launched several traffic easement programs to aid in pedestrian safety, while Washington, DC, has expanded their bike lanes in an effort to get bikers off the sidewalks.
But don’t let yourself be lulled into a false sense of security, walkers. The behaviors of those around you, while important, only account for part of your safety. The steadily rising and biggest cause of pedestrian accidents is texting while walking. You may think you can handle Google-ing where you’re going while crossing the street, but studies have shown that solving math problems engages less brain power while crossing the street than using a cell phone does.
Want to keep safe without moving to a new city? Use some common sense, be aware of your surroundings, and for crying out loud, look both ways before crossing the street. Not everything your parents told you is going to be solid advice in your adult years, but that’s one rule you should definitely be sure to follow.
[Pic via Flickr - Janne Hellsten]
