Pedestrians of color are more likely to be killed in traffic crashes.
Traffic fatalities have been rising overall across the United States, and the percentage of pedestrians killed is growing. But the impact of these trends is not evenly felt across demographics: Pedestrians of color are more likely to be killed in traffic.
NPR's Morning Edition explores a study in Las Vegas that found that cars were less likely to stop for a black pedestrian than a white one crossing the street—suggesting that driver bias is a real factor in the racial distribution of traffic fatalities.
Correspondent Shankar Vedantam says researchers have been aware of this issue for "quite some time," and there's more research to be done. A larger study could yield additional reasons for the disparity—for instance, "that people of color are just more likely to be pedestrians." When that factor is controlled for, another could be that "minority neighborhoods have less safe traffic intersections"—making a case for focusing on racial equity in transportation planning.
FULL STORY: Researchers Examine Race Factor In Car Crashes Involving Pedestrians
Jaywalking Legalized in Virginia
Beginning in March, police will no longer be able to stop people for crossing the street outside of a crosswalk, a small component of reform intended to protect BIPOC from the historically discriminatory application of traffic laws.
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Tempe Police Chief: Uber AV vs. Pedestrian Crash May Have Been Unavoidable
After viewing the videos taken by two cameras equipped in the Uber autonomous vehicle that fatally struck 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg on Sunday, the chief concluded the crash was difficult to avoid. Also, lessons on the crash from David Leonhardt.
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