An investigation of driver, pedestrian, and environmental characteristics and resulting pedestrian injury

Objective: Walking is integral to transportation and physical activity, but safety is a primary concern for pedestrians due to the increasing number of injuries and deaths per year. To address the need for avenues of pedestrian safety improvements, this study’s objective is to determine the association among driver and pedestrian characteristics and behavior, environmental characteristics, and the presence of injury resulting from a pedestrian–vehicle crash. Methods: Pedestrian crashes were examined in Ohio from 2013 to 2017 using state crash records. Descriptive statistics as well as univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to estimate the odds of pedestrian injury. Results: Of the 11,241 pedestrian crashes analyzed, 66% resulted in injury. The odds of pedestrian injury increased when the driver was male, the driver was under the influence of alcohol, the cause of the crash was the pedestrian darting, the pedestrian was struck while in the travel lane, the pedestrian was aged 65 or older, the pedestrian was under the influence of alcohol, or under dark conditions on an unlit roadway. Factors that lowered the odds of injury were pedestrian age 0–4 and vehicle maneuvers other than driving straight ahead, such as backing and turning. Conclusion: These findings identify several factors associated with pedestrian injury, and public health efforts that could influence pedestrian safety are discussed.