There’s nothing like exploring a new city on two feet. Discovering a city as a pedestrian allows you to get lost down those little-known side-streets, encounter those often undiscovered cafés or bookstore gems you’d often miss when traveling by vehicle.

But while a neighbourhood’s character often reveals its true self to walkers, being a pedestrian in many American cities today is not always the safest or most carefree experience for travelers. Over the last decade, the US has seen many cities reporting persistently high or increasing numbers of people killed while walking, making safety an important consideration for travelers who love to explore by foot.

The following data looks at which American cities are the most dangerous for pedestrians, which are improving, and what attempts are being made to make walking safer for both residents and visiting travelers. 

The Most Dangerous Cities for Pedestrians

When the Crosswalk Becomes a Danger Zone

A recent study by Maison Law examined pedestrian accident trends from 2020 to 2023 and flagged cities where being a pedestrian comes with an unfortunate heightened risk for serious incidents. This snapshot of urban hazards reveals which common US cities top the danger charts, which ones have turned things around, and why good infrastructure and active policies can often make all the difference.

Cities Where Walking Is Risky Business

Many American cities were either built around cars or redesigned to make ease of driving the main priority. Many U.S. cities are especially risky for pedestrians, as shown by recent data which show high numbers of serious incidents involving vehicles and pedestrians. 

Factors driving these numbers tend to overlap and include dense traffic corridors, long distances between crosswalks or simply missing crosswalks altogether, limited lighting, wide roads, and high speed limits, which all combine to create a dangerous mix. In places where cars dominate and pedestrian infrastructure is treated as secondary, walkers are left vulnerable.

These risks are often greatest in lower-income neighborhoods, where safety upgrades lag behind. The result is a landscape where walking can too often feel like taking a chance with your life when instead it should be one of the simplest and  healthiest ways for travelers to experience a city. 

At the top of the list of dangerous cities for pedestrians is Hempstead, New York, registering 117.5 pedestrian accidents per 100,000 residents over the three-year span. It’s followed by Hingham, Massachusetts (94.2), Decatur, Georgia (73.5), Stanton, California (72.8), and Barstow, California (64.3). 

Other cities with strikingly high rates include Gallup, New Mexico (63.9), Pleasantville, New Jersey (57.4), Camden, New Jersey (55.7), and even Memphis, Tennessee, which logged 50.7 per 100,000.

Places Where Feet Fare Better

It’s important to highlight that not every city puts its pedestrians at risk. While some cities pose real challenges for pedestrians, others have done a good job at ensuring walking is safer, easier, and even enjoyable. 

Some cities have slowed traffic in high congestion areas, improved crosswalks, and invested in public spaces. These cities are proof that urban life doesn’t have to mean risking the safety of pedestrians. There are places where you can confidently walk and explore neighborhoods, taking in the sights without constantly worrying about dangerous traffic.

Cities on this list include San Diego, California which leads with just 0.14 accidents per 100,000 residents. Nearby, Guilford, North Carolina and Los Angeles, California each clock in at about 0.18. Also among the safest are San Francisco (0.36), Sacramento (0.37), and Macomb, Michigan (0.45).

Cities Where Danger is Rising

Some cities are sadly seeing an increase in pedestrian accidents. Lincoln, Nebraska stands out with a 463.7% average annual increase in such incidents, representing the highest climb in the nation. Brownsville, Texas saw a 245.8% rise, Springfield, Massachusetts jumped 224.3%, and Augusta, Georgia recorded a 215.0% increase.

These surges may stem from population growth, more vehicles on the road, or from a failure to expand walking infrastructure as cities grow. They underscore how quickly conditions can worsen when preventive measures lag behind.

Both distracted driving and distracted walking are also factors contributing to the heightened risk for pedestrians. Both drivers and walkers need to limit or stay off their smartphones when in congested areas of cities, and especially around crosswalks and intersections.

Insufficient enforcement of traffic laws and seasonal or event-driven spikes in foot and vehicle traffic may also be contributing to accident spikes in some cities. Collectively, these factors are making walking in cities even riskier as more and more people take to the streets.

Cities That Showed Improvement

On the flip side, some cities have made promising strides in terms of improving safety for pedestrians. Santa Rosa, California, Prescott Valley, Arizona, Teaneck, New Jersey, and Rockledge, Florida all saw average yearly declines of 62.5%. Meanwhile, Elk Grove, California reduced pedestrian accidents by 58.3%, and Sterling Heights, Michigan achieved a 54.2% drop.

These successes often are tied to targeted interventions such as better crosswalks, awareness campaigns, traffic calming measures (like speed bumps or narrower lanes), and stricter penalties for aggressive driving. They show that with intention, dangerous trends can be reversed.

Why the Data Matters

Pedestrian accidents carry enormous personal and societal costs that are not limited to physical injuries, emotional trauma, medical bills, and legal challenges. High-risk cities often force residents to weigh daily safety just to get around. Legal firms such as Maison Law emphasize the critical support which victims may need to deal with claims, insurance, and liability.

The data we’ve explored here serves as an urgent call to action. Cities with rising accident rates require stronger urban planning, stricter traffic enforcement, and community education. Meanwhile, safer cities offer blueprints for pedestrian-friendly design that can be adapted elsewhere.

Walking shouldn’t feel like taking your life into your own hands. As cities evolve, so too must our commitment to safer sidewalks, smarter intersections, and streets where everyone including residents and visiting tourists can safely experience our cities safely which will help keep our urban centers lively and their economies thriving because travelers will want to keep returning.