How Urban Design Shapes and Ensures Road Safety for Everyone

Today, accidents ranging from car crashes to pedestrian fatalities happen daily, and for many US states, this has been a wake-up call, forcing them to take action and make strides in reshaping urban environments with the ultimate goal of making them safer for everyone. 

Urban design has a bigger impact on our safety than most of us realize. To most, it just sounds like a fancy phrase local governments throw around. But some thought needs to be put into the way our streets and roads are designed. The way streets, sidewalks, intersections, and public spaces are built can either protect us or put us at risk. 

Well-planned streets with clear sidewalks, safe crosswalks, and good lighting make it easier for people to walk, bike, or just get around safely. On the other hand, a poorly executed urban plan can create dangerous situations for pedestrians, even in areas with relatively low traffic. It’s no wonder that the number of such accidents has been rising steadily. 

So, let’s take a look at how urban design helps ensure pedestrian safety and what factors come into play. Keep reading to learn how some of the US states have approached the problem and what solutions they’ve come across. 

What the stats say: A closer look

We often talk about car accidents, yet we rarely ever reflect on pedestrian accidents. The reality is that a high percentage of pedestrians get injured or die as a result of an accident. 

Pedestrian safety is a major concern in the United States. In 2023, more than 7,300 pedestrians lost their lives in traffic accidents, and over 68,000 were injured. 

Most of these fatal accidents happened at night, showing how important lighting and visibility are. Surprisingly, 73% of pedestrian deaths occurred at locations that weren’t intersections, which are often the spots people assume are safer. 

This shows that just crossing a road anywhere can be risky if the area isn’t designed with pedestrian safety in mind. And guess what? It often isn’t.

Certain groups are at higher risk. Older adults and children are more likely to suffer serious injuries in an accident. Busy urban areas see more instances of accidents, but rural areas can be just as dangerous because cars tend to travel faster and there are fewer sidewalks. 

These statistics make it clear that preventing pedestrian accidents requires a combination of good street design, community awareness, and policies that encourage safer driving.

How states are working to make streets safer

Different states have taken unique approaches to reduce pedestrian accidents, from improving infrastructure to running awareness campaigns. The important thing is that they are tackling the problem and have realized its importance. 

Below, we’ve created a short list of different states that have already set some plans in motion. 

Arizona

The first on our list is Arizona. The state has made pedestrian safety a priority with several programs. The Active Transportation Safety Action Plan aims to reduce serious crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists by 20% by 2030. 

Accidents happen quite frequently in busy areas, especially around the capital city and many injured parties often turn to pedestrian accident lawyers in the area to seek advice regarding insurance settlements.  

This plan focuses on adding safer crosswalks, separating bike lanes from traffic, calming busy streets, and improving lighting in areas where accidents happen most. 

On top of this, the See Me AZ campaign works to educate drivers and pedestrians about safety rules and responsible behavior. Cities like Tempe have joined the Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2040. Quite an ambitious goal but it seems that the state seems to be heading in a good direction. 

These efforts show how planning, awareness, and commitment from local governments can work together to make streets safer.

California

Sunny California has focused on both infrastructure and education. The Community Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Training program helps neighborhoods learn how to spot hazards and advocate for improvements. The program is successful and effective because it prompts communities to put their heads together and recognize the potential dangers and provide solutions for them.

Meanwhile, the state has invested heavily in protected bike lanes, better crosswalks, and street lighting. In busy areas like Los Angeles and San Francisco, these improvements make it easier for people to walk and bike safely. California’s approach shows that combining education with physical changes to streets can have a lasting impact on pedestrian safety.

New York

New York City has been a leader in pedestrian safety for years. The city started the Vision Zero program back in 2014 with the aim of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries. 

This program involved redesigning streets, installing speed cameras, enforcing traffic laws, and spreading awareness about the problem as well. 

There is also a  Complete Streets Program that is in motion. It also works to ensure streets are safe for everyone. And by everyone, we really do mean everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, public transit users, and drivers alike. Both programs were successful and have helped bring about many positive changes when it comes to pedestrian safety. 

Florida

Finally, we reach the last state on our list. We can compliment the state of Florida for taking pedestrian safety seriously. The Florida Pedestrian Safety Coalition uses education, law enforcement, and engineering solutions to reduce pedestrian deaths. 

The most important initiative is the Safe Routes to School program, which encourages children to walk or bike to school safely by improving sidewalks and crosswalks near schools. These programs are particularly important in growing cities, where traffic can be heavy and children need safe ways to get to school every day.

The final word: Reshaping safety through design

Pedestrian safety is a vital part of urban life, yet the statistics show that far too many people are injured or killed every year. States like Arizona, California, New York, and Florida have shown that progress is possible through infrastructure improvements, education campaigns, and long-term planning.

All the different initiatives in these states demonstrate that change is achievable when governments, communities, and planners work together. Urban design is not just about aesthetics; it’s about safety, accessibility, and making cities livable for everyone. When streets are designed with pedestrians in mind, accidents can be reduced, lives can be saved, and cities become healthier, more welcoming places to live and move around.