Pedestrian Injuries

The rate at which residents are killed or injured by motor vehicle collisions while walking per 100,000 residents in the City of St. Louis

Equity Score
40
Indicator scores are represented on a scale from 1 to 100.
Disparity Ratio
2.01
Disparity direction: black-white
Pedestrians killed or injured by motor vehicles collisions per 100,000 residents

Black residents are twice as likely to be killed or injured by cars while walking as white residents.

Source: St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department; American Communit y Survey 1-year estimates

A score of 100 represents racial equity, meaning there are no racial disparities in outcomes. The lower the Equity Score, the greater the disparity.

For Pedestrian Injuries, a score of 100 — a score reflecting racial equity — would mean black and white residents are equally likely to be killed or injured by a motor vehicle collision while walking. It is important to note that for this indicator, equity is not our only goal; we also want to improve outcomes for all. 

More Information

Expand all

What does this indicator measure?

Pedestrian Injuries measures the rate at which people are killed or injured by motor vehicle collisions while walking per 100,000 residents in the City of St. Louis. In 2016, 294 pedestrians were injured and 17 were killed by motor vehicle collisions. This equates to a rate of 100 pedestrian injuries per 100,000 residents. 

Pedestrian Injuries analysis

Pedestrians killed or injured by motor vehicle collisions per 100,000 residents in St. Louis City.

  All Black White Disparity Ratio Equity Score
Pedestrian deaths and injuries 311 203 100 - -
Population 311,404 145,886 144,752 - -
Pedestrian injuries per 100,000 residents 99.8 139.2 69.1 2.014 to 1 40

Data Source: St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, 2016. American Community Survey 1-year estimates, 2016.

What does this analysis mean?

Black pedestrians are twice as likely as white pedestrians to be killed or injured by motor vehicle collisions. Black pedestrians are the most likely to be killed or injured (139 fatal and non-fatal injuries per 100,000 residents), followed by white pedestrians (69 fatal and non-fatal injuries per 100,000 residents). Non-white, non-black pedestrians, with eight non-fatal injuries, are the least likely to be killed or injured (38 fatal and non-fatal injuries per 100,000 residents). If pedestrian injury rates were equitable, 102 black pedestrians would not have been killed or injured by vehicle collisions.   

Why do Pedestrian Injuries matter?

Pedestrian injuries are one way to measure the safety of neighborhoods where people live and work. They can signal a lack of investment in transportation planning and pedestrian infrastructure for minority neighborhoods. For black residents in St. Louis, the data suggests that simple activities like walking down the street are more dangerous than they are for white residents. Safe walking routes increase resident access to resources and amenities, including jobs, schools, and parks. 

Which Calls to Action from the Ferguson Commission report are linked with this indicator?

While the Ferguson Commission report did not explicitly call out pedestrian injuries, this indicator is related to their call to action to:

Questions for further investigation

  • Why is there a racial disparity in Pedestrian Injuries? 
  • What can St. Louis do to reduce racial disparities in Pedestrian Injuries?
  • What initiatives are currently underway to reduce racial disparities in Pedestrian Injuries?

How can I learn more about this issue?

In its 2016 report "Dangerous by Design," Smart Growth America identifies the metro areas that are the most dangerous for people walking. All across the country, they found people of color and older adults are overrepresented among pedestrian deaths. The St. Louis metro area ranked 52nd most dangerous out of 104 cities in its Pedestrian Danger Index.

In 2013, the City of St. Louis released its first Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, which was revised and updated in the 2015/2016 Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. OneSTL has compiled bicycle and pedestrian planning reports for the region.

Was this page helpful?      



Comments are helpful!
500 character limit

Feedback is anonymous.