10 States Where Drivers Pose the Greatest Risk to Older Pedestrians

October 26, 2026

A grocery store can be three blocks away and still feel uncomfortably far if reaching it means crossing six lanes of traffic. For older pedestrians, that everyday calculation can become a safety concern, especially in communities built around moving cars rather than helping people cross streets safely.

The latest state rankings from Smart Growth America’s Dangerous by Design 2026 report identify the places with the highest pedestrian fatality rates. The report examines deaths from 2020 through 2024 and adjusts its rankings for population, rather than simply counting fatalities. Although it does not rank states specifically by deaths among older pedestrians, its findings highlight places where the overall danger to people walking deserves attention.

The 10 States Where Walking Carries the Greatest Risk

These rankings reflect average annual pedestrian deaths per 100,000 residents. They provide a useful starting point for families considering retirement destinations, planning visits with older relatives, or evaluating whether a neighborhood offers safe walking routes.

1. New Mexico

New Mexico ranks first, with an average annual pedestrian fatality rate of 4.42 per 100,000 residents. That rate puts it well above the national pattern and raises questions about how communities accommodate people outside vehicles. A short walk along a road with fast-moving traffic can become much more dangerous when sidewalks, safe crossings, or adequate lighting disappear.

2. Louisiana

Louisiana ranks second, at 3.53 deaths per 100,000 residents annually. Its high ranking makes pedestrian safety worth considering beyond busy downtown streets. Roads connecting shopping areas, neighborhoods, and major commercial corridors can create difficult crossings when traffic moves quickly and destinations sit far apart.

3. Arizona

Arizona ranks third, with a rate of 3.49. The state’s sprawling development can leave some residents with few practical alternatives to driving, even for relatively short errands. For older adults who prefer walking for exercise or independence, the availability of continuous sidewalks and crossings with enough time to reach the other side deserves attention.

4. South Carolina

South Carolina takes fourth place, recording 3.37 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 residents annually. Fast roads and development spread along commercial corridors can complicate everyday trips on foot. A marked crosswalk helps, but its usefulness depends on drivers noticing pedestrians and having enough time to stop.

5. Florida

Florida ranks fifth, with a rate of 3.32. Its retirement communities and warm weather make walking appealing, but pleasant weather cannot fix a poorly designed intersection. Families comparing neighborhoods should look beyond nearby parks and attractive sidewalks to see whether residents can safely reach pharmacies, grocery stores, restaurants, and medical offices.

6. Mississippi

Mississippi ranks sixth, at 3.18 deaths per 100,000 residents annually. In places where essential destinations sit along high-speed roads, a pedestrian may need to cross traffic that offers few comfortable gaps. The presence of a sidewalk on one stretch does little good if it abruptly ends before the next intersection.

7. Nevada

Nevada ranks seventh, with a rate of 2.88. Busy arterial roads and large intersections can make walking challenging, particularly when turning vehicles approach from several directions. Drivers should scan for people crossing before making turns, rather than focusing only on gaps in vehicle traffic.

8. California

California ranks eighth, at 2.82 deaths per 100,000 residents annually. Its size and variety make statewide rankings an imperfect guide to any individual neighborhood. A walkable urban district and a car-dependent suburban corridor can offer very different experiences, even within the same metropolitan area.

9. Georgia

Georgia ranks ninth, recording 2.79 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 residents annually. Outside compact town centers, everyday destinations often sit along wide roads designed primarily for vehicles. Older residents may find that a nearby store is technically walkable but practically inaccessible without a safe crossing or a continuous pedestrian route.

10. Delaware

Delaware rounds out the top 10, with a rate of 2.74. Its smaller size does not automatically translate into safer walking conditions. Roads connecting residential developments with shopping areas can still expose pedestrians to traffic moving faster than drivers expect near people on foot.

Why Older Pedestrians Face Different Challenges

A statewide ranking cannot tell you whether a particular intersection is safe, and it does not prove that drivers in one state behave worse than drivers elsewhere. The rankings measure pedestrian fatalities relative to population, not individual driving habits or older-adult fatalities alone. Still, they reveal where walking safety deserves closer scrutiny. Smart Growth America’s report also examines long-term trends, helping distinguish places with persistent problems from those experiencing a temporary change.

Older pedestrians can face additional challenges when crossing busy streets. A longer crossing distance, a short pedestrian signal, or a driver turning through a crosswalk can leave little room for hesitation. Reduced mobility can also make it harder to hurry when a signal starts flashing. These are practical concerns, not reasons to assume that older adults cannot cross streets independently.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2024 data recorded 1,535 pedestrian deaths among people ages 65 and older. That included 910 people ages 65 to 74 and 625 people older than 74. The figures show why pedestrian safety deserves attention as people age, even though they do not establish which states pose the greatest risk specifically to older walkers.

What Families Should Check Before Choosing a Neighborhood

A retirement community can advertise walking trails, landscaped entrances, and a charming town center. Yet the practical test comes when someone needs to cross the road to pick up a prescription. Before choosing a neighborhood, walk the route to everyday destinations and notice whether sidewalks continue all the way there. Look for curb ramps, visible crosswalk markings, pedestrian signals, and enough crossing time to move comfortably.

Pay attention to turning traffic, too. Drivers watching for oncoming cars may overlook someone crossing in front of them. Large vehicles parked near corners can also block sightlines, making it harder for drivers and pedestrians to see each other. Visiting at different times of day can reveal problems that a sunny afternoon stroll might miss.

Older adults who already live in these states can use the same checklist for familiar errands. If a crossing feels rushed, a route with a traffic signal or a protected crossing may offer a safer alternative. When walking is impractical, arranging a ride for a particular trip can preserve independence without requiring someone to accept an unnecessarily risky route.

Safer Streets Require More Than Careful Driving

Drivers can help by slowing down near crosswalks, checking for pedestrians before turning, and resisting the urge to squeeze through a changing signal. Looking twice is especially worthwhile near shopping centers, senior housing, medical offices, and other places where people may cross throughout the day. A pedestrian should not have to sprint to compensate for a driver’s impatience.

Communities also have tools beyond reminders to be careful. Better lighting, shorter crossing distances, pedestrian refuge islands, accessible signals, and sidewalks that connect to actual destinations can make walking safer. The most effective improvements depend on the road, traffic conditions, and local design.

A Safe Walk Should Not Require Perfect Timing

The 10 states above have the highest overall pedestrian fatality rates in the 2026 Dangerous by Design rankings. They are not a definitive ranking of danger to older pedestrians specifically, but they offer a useful warning about the conditions people may encounter on foot. A state’s position cannot tell the whole story, and a lower-ranked state does not guarantee a safe crossing.

For older adults, a genuinely walkable neighborhood means more than having a sidewalk somewhere nearby. It means being able to reach ordinary destinations without facing fast traffic, awkward crossings, or signals that seem designed for sprinters. Families evaluating a move should judge the route people will actually use, not just the amenities listed in a brochure.

Which road or intersection in your community feels especially difficult for older pedestrians to navigate?