In the late 1970s, about 8,000 pedestrians died in auto accidents every year.
In 2014, that number dropped to 5,500, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Part of this decrease is likely linked to local governments implementing "complete streets" legislation that designs roads with drivers, bikers, and pedestrians in mind.
But most American roads are still geared toward cars first and foremost, treating pedestrian use as a secondary need.
The Auto Insurance Center, a car insurance education organization, ranked the states based on the number of pedestrian deaths in 2014 per 100,000 residents. This doesn't factor in the total number of pedestrians in each state, which is more difficult to measure, but offers a rough approximation of which states are the safest for people traveling on foot.
Scroll down to see the 10 best states to be a pedestrian. You can find the full list of all 50 (plus DC) at the end of the post.
10. Kansas: 0.90 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 residents, 26 total fatalities
9. New Hampshire: 0.90 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 residents, 12 total fatalities
8. Ohio: 0.89 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 residents, 103 total fatalities
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