Henrico ranks second in Virginia in pedestrian fatalities in 2024

Henrico County has witnessed the second-highest total of pedestrian fatalities among all Virginia localities so far in 2024, according to data from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Only Fairfax County’s five pedestrian fatalities surpass the three experienced by Henrico and Prince William counties. Henrico also has witnessed the fifth-highest total of crashes involving pedestrians in the state this year (27) and the fifth-highest total of pedestrian injuries in those crashes (26).

Fairfax County, the largest locality in the state with a population of 1.13 million, witnessed the highest totals in all three categories (51 pedestrian crashes and 51 pedestrian injuries, in addition to the five fatalities). Henrico is the sixth-largest locality in Virginia, with a population of about 335,000.

Richmond has witnessed 41 pedestrian-involved crashes and 45 pedestrian injuries, both second-highest in the state, but no pedestrian fatalities.

Statewide, there have been 453 crashes involving pedestrians this year, resulting in 442 pedestrian injuries and 35 fatalities.

“We cannot ignore these numbers,” said DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey, the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “But more importantly, we have to start thinking of the numbers we share as what they really are – human lives. Every single one of the 477 pedestrians injured or killed so far this year in Virginia are someone’s child, parent, spouse, best friend and whole world. We need to value and protect each other on the roadways. That means slowing down and keeping our eyes on the road. Every second counts when it comes to keeping our friends and family safe inside and outside of our cars.”

DMV are urging motorists to take two small steps to impact safety: slow down and look up.

Speed plays a major factor in a pedestrian's chances of surviving a crash, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A pedestrian who is hit by a vehicle traveling 32 mph has a 25% risk of death. But the risk of death from being hit by a vehicle traveling just 10 mph faster doubles, and if the vehicle is moving 50 mph, it increases to 75%.

Drivers who are distracted by cell phones, music playlists or navigation controls can miss pedestrians in an instant, officials said. This is particularly important in neighborhoods, shopping centers and other locations where more pedestrians are sharing the roadway, according to DMV officials.

The NHTSA and the Ad Council ha this video from NHTSA and the Ad Council.