Part of our effort to meet Philadelphia’s goal of zero traffic fatalities in 2050 includes us analyzing fatal crash data throughout the year. In early April, we published a blog analyzing the first 3 months and this blog will walk through where we are at half way through the year. (Prepare yourself for some graphs!) This work is coupled with our advocacy for policies that would build better infrastructure and enforce laws that change driver behavior. Currently we are advocating to legalize parking protected bike lanes, an effort we have been working on since 2017. (You can read more about the history here and take action here)
Our policy team sat down and analyzed fatal crash data from the first 6 months of 2024. So far the data supports a steady decrease in fatalities compared to the last 4 years. Currently, Philadelphia’s fatal traffic crashes have resulted in 52 deaths (as of June 30th), which is the lowest since the same point in 2019, when there were 48 deaths.
It’s encouraging to see the total number of traffic deaths continue to drop; however, the rate of pedestrian deaths is still way above 2019 rates. Pedestrians represent 46% of all fatal crashes in 2024 compared to 35% in 2019. The graph below compares total fatalities with pedestrians and bicyclists in the first 6 months of 2019-2024.
Despite a steady decrease in overall fatalities during the first 6 months, it’s important to note that July and September have statistically been the months with the highest number of fatalities. In July 2020 alone, there were 25 fatalities. 2023 saw the second highest number of fatalities in July with 18 deaths.
While every traffic fatality is unacceptable and preventable, tracking trends helps us to hold our elected officials and city staff accountable to reaching the City’s stated goal of 0 fatalities by 2050. We will continue to monitor fatal crash data in Philadelphia on top of our efforts to advocate for better high quality infrastructure and enforcement that focuses on reducing reckless and dangerous driving behavior.
Currently the State Senate is holding onto HB-1283, a bill that would legalize parking-protected bike lanes. Passage of this bill would enable municipalities all across the state to build life saving bicycle infrastructure. Take action today and tell your elected officials it’s time to step up and legalize parking protected bike lanes: https://bicyclecoalition.secure.nonprofitsoapbox.com/component/sbxactions/111