Bakersfield, Fresno, Riverside and Stockton all ranked in the top 20 most dangerous cities for pedestrians in California, according to Dangerous by Design data.
According to the UC Berkeley Safe Transportation Research and Education Center:
- There were 1,106 total pedestrian fatalities in California in 2023
- 22% of those pedestrian fatalities occurred at intersections
Getting out and taking a walk is a great, convenient, free way to get some exercise. Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents are always a risk any time you walk near traffic.
Call us today for a FREE consultation at (800) 718-4658 or contact us if you or a loved one was injured or killed in a pedestrian accident in California.
Our experienced pedestrian accident lawyers can help you recover financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, wrongful death and more, and won’t charge you any fee until we win your case.
Most Dangerous Cities and Areas for Pedestrians
- 1. Bakersfield, CA
- 2. Fresno, CA
- 3. Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CA
- 4. Stockton, CA
- 5. Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CA
- 6. San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CA
- 7. Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA
- 8. San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA
- 9. San Francisco–Oakland–Berkeley, CA
- 10. Oxnard–Thousand Oaks–Ventura, CA
1. Bakersfield, CA
- National Rank: #4
- Fatality Rate: 3.99 per 100,000
- Pedestrian Deaths (2018–2022): 181
The most dangerous intersections for pedestrians in Bakersfield, in terms of number of pedestrian accidents from 2014 through 2023, according to California Highway Patrol data, are:
- Brundage Ln and Union Ave, 9 collisions
- Panama Ln and Union Ave, 9 collisions
- Oak St and Truxtun Ave, 8 collisions
Bakersfield is the deadliest city on our list for numerous reasons, including:
Infrastructure Design
Bakersfield’s roads are designed for high-speed motor vehicle traffic instead of pedestrian safety.
The roads feature wide, straight lanes. There are not many medians and there are not many slow-traffic zones which are pedestrian-friendly.
Lack of Basic Pedestrian Amenities
In many areas of Bakersfield, especially in lower-income or older neighborhoods, there are no, or badly maintained, street lights and sidewalks.
Dangerous Drivers
Large amounts of speeding, driving under the influence, red-light violations and distracted driving are primary causes of traffic fatalities.
Tule Fog
The Tule Fog is the primary cause of weather-related accidents in the State of California.
This radiation fog settles in California’s Central Valley from November 1 through March 31, and can reduce visibility to under 10 feet, making it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians.
January 2024 saw a pile-up over more than 40 vehicles in Kern County on I-5, leading to two deaths and nine injuries. Visibility was about 10 feet when emergency services arrived at the accident.
2. Fresno, CA
- National Rank: #7
- Fatality Rate: 3.89 per 100,000
- Pedestrian Deaths (2018–2022): 196
The most dangerous intersections for pedestrians in Fresno, in terms of number of pedestrian accidents from 2014 through 2023, are:
- Ashlan Ave and Blackstone Ave, 11 collisions
- Blackstone Ave and Dakota Ave, 8 collisions
- 1st St and Angus Ave, 7 collisions
- 1st St and Tulare St, 7 collisions
- Blackstone Ave and Lansing Way, 7 collisions
- Butler Ave and Cedar Ave, 7 collisions
Fresno’s traffic safety regarding pedestrians is less than ideal for numerous reasons, including:
High-Speed Arterial Roads
Streets like Shaw Avenue and Blackstone Avenue are dangerous roads designed for fast-moving traffic. Roads like these increase the chances of serious accidents happening.
Poor Infrastructure
A lot of areas lack continuous sidewalks, have inconsistent sidewalks and lack ADA-compliant curb ramps. This forces pedestrians into traffic.
Driver Behavior
Major causes of accidents include distracted driving, failure to yield at intersections and speeding.
Environmental Factors
Additional dangers are created by poor night lighting and proximity to railroad tracks.
Tule Fog
The Tule Fog in Fresno, like in Bakersfield, can make it very hard for drivers to see pedestrians.
3. Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CA
- National Rank: #12
- Fatality Rate: 3.46 per 100,000
- Pedestrian Deaths (2018–2022): 797
The most dangerous intersections for pedestrians in Riverside, San Bernardino and Ontario, in terms of number of pedestrian accidents from 2014 through 2023, are:
- Base Line St and Waterman Ave, 12 collisions
- Date St and Del Rosa Ave, 12 collisions
- Arrowhead Ave and Base Line St, 11 collisions
Riverside, San Bernardino and Ontario can be dangerous places for pedestrians for numerous reasons, including:
Car-Centric Design
The infrastructure in these cities often prioritizes high-volume, fast-moving traffic over the safety of pedestrians.
Fast Traffic and Wide Roads
Straight, multi-lane and long roads encourage drivers to go faster, reducing their reaction time and increasing fatal accident risks.
Poor Infrastructure
A lot of areas don’t have sufficient sidewalks, well-lit and adequate pedestrian infrastructure, or safe crossing points.
Intersection Design
Wide corner, rounded radii at intersections let vehicles turn at speeds that are higher, endangering pedestrians.
Visibility Issues
Inadequate visibility and poor lighting contribute to crashes, especially mid-block or at night.
4. Stockton, CA
- National Rank: #19
- Fatality Rate: 3.23 per 100,000
- Pedestrian Deaths (2018–2022): 126
The most dangerous intersections for pedestrians in Stockton, in terms of number of pedestrian accidents from 2014 through 2023, are:
- Chung Wah Ln and El Dorado St, 13 collisions
- El Dorado St and Washington St, 13 collisions
- Charter Way and Lincoln St, 12 collisions
Being a pedestrian within the city limits of Stockton can be dangerous for many reasons, including:
Infrastructure Design
A lot of streets feature multi-lane, wide designs which encourage speeding.
They also lack needed safety features such as safe crossings, buffered lanes or sidewalks.
Aggressive Driving and High Speed Traffic
Drivers commonly exceed the speed limit, especially on arterials.
Instances of aggressive behavior and road rage have increased.
Increased Traffic Volume
An influx of Bay Area residents has led to increased traffic density. This has contributed to more dangerous and congested roads.
Lack of Enforcement
Residents commonly cite a lack of traffic law enforcement that’s consistent as contributing to unsafe conditions.
Tule Fog
The Tule Fog, like in Bakersfield and Fresno, is a significant issue in Stockton.
5. Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CA
- National Rank: #20
- Fatality Rate: 3.15 per 100,000
- Pedestrian Deaths (2018–2022): 377
The most dangerous intersections for pedestrians in Sacramento, Roseville and Folsom, in terms of number of pedestrian accidents from 2014 through 2023, are:
- Fruitridge Rd and Stockton Blvd, 12 collisions
- Apartment Rd and Mack Rd, 11 collisions
- Center Pky and Mack Rd, 11 collisions
- La Mancha Way and Mack Rd, 11 collisions
The Sacramento metro area can be dangerous for pedestrians because of:
Infrastructure Design
A lot of streets feature one-way, wide designs which encourage speeding. Important dangerous corridors include Florin Road, West El Camino Ave and Broadway-Stockton Blvd.
Dangerous areas commonly have limited crosswalks and poor lighting at intersections without signals.
Dangerous Intersections
Right turn lanes commonly lack proper traffic signals, yield signs or stop signs, making them dangerous for pedestrians.
Lack of Protection
A lot of sidewalks lack buffers like poles or trees between high-speed traffic and pedestrians.
Reckless Driving and Enforcement
It is common for drivers to ignore red lights.
It is reported that there is a lack of police traffic enforcement.
Systemic Issues
A lack of investment in under-resourced neighborhoods has led to poor pedestrian infrastructure.
Tule Fog
The Tule Fog, like in Bakersfield, Fresno and Stockton, can be an issue in Sacramento.
6. San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CA
- National Rank: #27
- Fatality Rate: 2.83 per 100,000
- Pedestrian Deaths (2018–2022): 466
The most dangerous intersections for pedestrians in the San Diego area, in terms of number of pedestrian accidents from 2014 through 2023, are:
- 16th St and Imperial Ave, 14 collisions
- Altadena Ave and El Cajon Blvd, 14 collisions
- Churchward St and Euclid Ave, 14 collisions
San Diego is one of the more dangerous large cities in California for pedestrians for many reasons, including:
Infrastructure Issues
A lot of areas lack proper crosswalks, have missing or narrow sidewalks, and have poor street lighting.
Traffic Factors
San Diego drivers frequently drive faster than 100 mph.
Speeding is a huge factor in pedestrian injuries.
Underfunded Safety Projects
San Diego faces a backlog of more than 1,000 necessary safety improvements, with only around 40 projects addressed each year because of funding shortages.
7. Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA
- National Rank: #30
- Fatality Rate: 2.63 per 100,000
- Pedestrian Deaths (2018–2022): 1723
Los Angeles has the highest total number of pedestrian deaths per year, averaging more than 140 fatalities annually.
The most dangerous intersections for pedestrians in the Los Angeles area, in terms of number of pedestrian accidents from 2014 through 2023, are:
- La Brea Ave and Rodeo Rd, 30 collisions
- Highland Ave and Hollywood Blvd, 27 collisions
- Flemish Ln and Santa Monica Blvd, 25 collisions
The Los Angeles area can be dangerous for pedestrians for multiple reasons, including:
Car-Centric Design
Los Angeles is designed for the convenience of vehicles. Traffic lights are optimized for cars instead of pedestrian crossing.
Excessive Speeding
Drivers often exceed the speed limit, especially near the off-ramps of freeways and on multi-lane, wide roads.
Poor Infrastructure
A lot of areas lack safe, marked crosswalks, planting strips or sidewalks, forcing pedestrians to cross dimly lit, busy or dangerous streets.
Distractions
Drivers and pedestrians using cell phones contribute significantly to a high accident rate.
8. San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA
- National Rank: #48
- Fatality Rate: 1.98 per 100,000
- Pedestrian Deaths (2018–2022): 196
The most dangerous intersections for pedestrians in the San Jose area, in terms of number of pedestrian accidents from 2014 through 2023, are:
- 4th St and Santa Clara St, 13 collisions
- King Rd and Story Rd, 11 collisions
- King Rd and Tully Rd, 11 collisions
The San Jose area can be dangerous for pedestrians because of:
High-Speed Corridors
Multi-lane, wide roads encourage speeding. This leaves drivers with inadequate time to react to pedestrians.
Negligent Driving
Failure to yield while turning, running red lights and distracted driving are common reasons for accidents.
Infrastructure Gaps
Badly marked crosswalks, a lack of dedicated, safe pedestrian infrastructure and inadequate street lighting contribute to safety issues.
Under-Invested Areas
Studies show that pedestrian accidents are disproportionately common in areas of the city which are not invested in enough.
9. San Francisco–Oakland–Berkeley, CA
- National Rank: #63
- Fatality Rate: 1.64 per 100,000
- Pedestrian Deaths (2018–2022): 384
The most dangerous intersections for pedestrians in the San Francisco area, in terms of number of pedestrian accidents from 2014 through 2023, are:
- 6th St and Jessie St, 54 collisions
- 6th St and Minna St, 48 collisions
- 6th St and Stevenson St, 42 collisions
6th St in San Francisco is one of the most dangerous roads in America.
The San Francisco area can be dangerous for pedestrians because of:
Aggressive Turning Vehicles
Left turns can be particularly dangerous, since drivers commonly speed while making them or cut corners, reducing visibility.
Traffic Violations and Speeding
Drivers commonly exceed speed limits and a lot of accidents involve failing to yield to pedestrians or running red lights.
Infrastructure Gaps
A lot of streets don’t have protected bike lanes, proper “daylighting” or pedestrian safety zones.
10. Oxnard–Thousand Oaks–Ventura, CA
- National Rank: #77
- Fatality Rate: 1.45 per 100,000
- Pedestrian Deaths (2018–2022): 61
The most dangerous intersections for pedestrians in the Oxnard area, in terms of number of pedestrian accidents from 2014 through 2023, are:
- Telephone Rd and Victoria Ave, 12 collisions
- Avocet Dr and Victoria Ave, 9 collisions
- Gonzales Rd and Rose Ave, 9 collisions
- Laurel St and Saviers Rd, 9 collisions
The Oxnard area can be dangerous for pedestrians for numerous reasons, including:
Road Design and High-Speed Traffic
Major thoroughfares often have high speed limits, increasing how likely it is for fatal accidents to occur.
These roads commonly prioritize the rapid flow of vehicles over pedestrian accessibility.
Poor Visibility
Pedestrians can be hidden from drivers by large, obstructing trees or vehicles, faded crosswalk markers or inadequate street lighting.
Mid-Block and Intersection Dangers
A lot of accidents happen at intersections as well as uncontrolled, poorly-lit mid-block crossings.
School Routes
Concerns have been raised about school routes involving children running out from behind parked cars.
FAQs
Why Are Pedestrian Accidents So Common in California Cities?
There are multiple reasons pedestrian accidents are so common in California cities:
Infrastructure Deficiencies
A lot of roads in California lack pedestrian-friendly infrastructure or proper sidewalks. This forces people to walk on the shoulders of roads.
Outdated road designs, especially in older cities, haven’t kept up with increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic, leading to dangerous intersections.
Dangerous Drivers
Major contributing factors include distractions such as smartphone use, speeding and impaired driving.
Drivers commonly don’t yield for pedestrians, especially while turning at congested, busy intersections.
Urbanization and High Density Traffic
High density areas in California create frequent, and commonly fatal, intersections of vehicle traffic and pedestrians.
Visibility Issues
An increase in fatalities at night is linked with poor visibility, especially when pedestrians walk while wearing dark clothing.
Increased Pedestrian Activity
More people are walking for exercise, doing daily errands or commuting in areas which aren’t optimized for foot traffic.
What Are Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?
Alcohol is involved in nearly half of all fatal pedestrian crashes, either by the driver or pedestrian.
Distracted driving is a significant factor contributing to pedestrian accidents.
A lack of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, such as crosswalks and bike lanes, significantly impacts pedestrian safety.
Urban sprawl contributes to increased pedestrian and cyclist traffic, which can lead to more accidents.
Limited traffic enforcement in high-risk zones can exacerbate pedestrian safety issues.
How Can You Avoid Accidents as a Pedestrian?
Pedestrians should always use crosswalks and wait for the crosswalk signal to cross safely.
Pedestrians should wear bright, reflective clothing to increase their visibility to drivers.
Pedestrians should avoid distractions such as looking at their phones or listening to loud music while walking.
Pedestrians should look left, right, and left again before crossing streets to ensure it is safe to do so.
Pedestrians should never assume that drivers can see them and should make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
How Can Drivers Avoid Striking Pedestrians?
Drivers should avoid distractions while driving to ensure they can react to pedestrians and cyclists.
Drivers should allow more time to reach their destinations, especially in areas with high pedestrian traffic.
Active scanning involves watching for pedestrians at all times, especially when turning, in high density areas or at night.
Stop for every pedestrian in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
Check blind spots for pedestrians when you turn or reverse.
Do not pass vehicles which are stopped at crosswalks.
Make sure your headlights are on and your windshield is clean at night.
What Time of Day Do Most Pedestrian Fatalities Happen?
Over 77% of pedestrian fatalities occur at night, often due to poor lighting conditions.
Where Do Most Pedestrian Accidents Happen?
Approximately 60% of pedestrian fatalities occur on high-capacity arterial roads.
About 69% of pedestrian deaths occur in areas with no sidewalks, forcing pedestrians to walk near high-speed traffic.
Around 75 percent of fatal pedestrian accidents happen at spots which aren’t intersections.
Many pedestrian accidents happen at night in areas without artificial lighting.
What Makes Some Cities Safer for Pedestrians?
Cities that promote walking to work have fewer pedestrian fatalities per capita.
Cities that have invested in traffic calming and pedestrian-first design tend to have lower pedestrian fatality rates.
New York, Boston, and Philadelphia are among the safest cities for pedestrians in the United States due to dense urban design and good public transit. New York City is ranked as one of the safest cities for pedestrians despite its large population.
Community initiatives and education campaigns can enhance pedestrian safety in urban areas.
Cities with more individuals walking to work tend to have fewer pedestrian fatalities per capita due to safer roads.
What Are Some Pedestrian Accident Trends?
Pedestrian deaths have increased significantly in many U.S. cities over the past decade.
The number of pedestrians killed in car crashes has skyrocketed to more than 7,300, representing a 77% increase in pedestrian fatalities since 2010.
Pedestrian fatalities have increased by 80% since 2009, reaching an all-time high.
In the first half of 2024, 3,304 pedestrians were killed across the U.S., a 48% increase from just a decade ago.
Fatalities are disproportionately concentrated in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color.
The safest cities for pedestrians had fewer than 0.75 pedestrian crash deaths per 100,000 residents in 2021.
What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident?
In the immediate aftermath of a pedestrian accident, it is important to receive prompt medical attention.
Calling the police is recommended after a pedestrian accident, as they can help document the scene and issue citations to the driver who caused the accident.
Taking photos and videos of your injuries and the surrounding area can be crucial for your case after a pedestrian accident.
Speaking to witnesses who saw your accident and having them record a statement can strengthen your case.
Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts and may attempt to blame the victim for the accident. Navigating the legal process after a pedestrian accident can be complex and stressful, especially with painful injuries.
Seeking legal help through a personal injury lawyer is one of the best ways to protect your rights after a pedestrian accident.
If someone negligently crashed into you, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and emotional damages.
A personal injury law firm can investigate, gather evidence, negotiate, and work to serve justice on your behalf after a pedestrian accident.
Injured in a Pedestrian Car Accident? Contact Our Attorneys
Call us today for a FREE consultation at (800) 718-4658 or contact us if you or a loved one was in a pedestrian accident in California and was injured or killed.
Why Pedestrian Accident Victims Trust Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers
- We have been successfully handling pedestrian accident claims since 1990.
- Our pedestrian accident attorneys and staff provide responsive service, frequent case updates, 24/7 availability and communication you can rely on.
- We offer free consultations and contingency fee representation, which means you’ll never owe us any upfront fee or out-of-pocket fee, the only fee you’ll ever owe us is a percentage of any compensation we recover for you, and you won’t owe us a penny until we win your case.
- Our lawyers aren’t afraid to go to trial, so we’ll never settle for a quick, low ball payout. We’ll always fight to recover the most compensation possible for you.
