2003 Reports

Pedestrian Injuries and Fatalities in Nassau County

DiMaggio, Charles J.

In an effort to identify and describe factors that contribute to the occurrence and severity of pedestrian injuries in Nassau County, the department of health analyzed data on pedestrian injury incidence, hospitalization and fatality. There were 9,284 pedestrian injuries and 299 pedestrian deaths in Nassau County Between 1991 and 2000, for an average of 928 injuries and 30 deaths per year. Annual injury and fatality rates were constant over the 10 year period. Pedestrian incidents accounted for only 2% of all traffic-related injuries, but were responsible for 27% of all traffic-related deaths. Overall there was an increase in pedestrian injuries over the winter months, but children were more likely to be injured in late spring and summer. The average age of an injured pedestrian was 37, but the greatest numbers of injured pedestrians were aged 16. Most injuries occurred during daylight hours, but there was some evidence of an increased risk of fatality at night. 26% of pedestrians injured at intersections were crossing with the signal. There was an association between racial, ethnic and economic variables and the risk of hospitalization for pedestrian injury in a community. A geographic information system was created to identify the sites of multiple pedestrian injuries and fatalities on county roads and to help inform engineering, educational and enforcement efforts