ORLANDO, Fla. – For years, the greater Orlando area carried a grim title as one of the deadliest places in the United States for pedestrians. However, a new report released by Smart Growth America indicates that this status is no longer accurate. While Orlando has fallen significantly in national rankings, other communities within Central Florida are moving up the list of danger. The data reveals a shift in safety trends across Orange County and neighboring regions.
Significant Drop in Fatalities
The report highlights that the Orlando area dropped from No. 1 to No. 25 nationally regarding pedestrian fatalities. News 6 Traffic Safety Expert Trooper Steve emphasized that this change is significant, though he cautioned against easing up on safety efforts. "We didn’t just jump from first place to second place. We went from first to 25th… that’s a big jump," Trooper Steve noted.
The data analyzed pedestrian deaths over two distinct time periods. From 2015 to 2019, the Orlando-area region studied recorded 433 pedestrian deaths. In contrast, from 2020 to 2024, that number fell to 419. This decline suggests that recent infrastructure changes and policy adjustments are beginning to yield results for local walkers.
Infrastructure Improvements Pay Off
The report points to specific funding allocations and updated safety practices as key drivers of this improvement. These efforts include physical changes to intersections and the installation or enhancement of pedestrian crossings. At one recently updated crosswalk, pedestrians expressed that these updates were long overdue.
Trooper Steve stated that any city taking effort to enhance pedestrian safety is moving in the right direction. He noted that improvements designed for walkers often benefit everyone on the road, including drivers who face fewer unpredictable hazards when sidewalks and crossings are properly maintained.
Other Central Florida Areas See Rising Risks
Despite Orlando's improved ranking, safety gaps remain in other parts of the region. The Smart Growth America "Dangerous by Design 2026" report identified several areas with higher fatality rates than Orange County. The Tampa area ranked No. 8 nationally for pedestrian deaths.
Brevard County and Volusia County, which includes Daytona Beach, also climbed the list of dangerous areas. Brevard County was ranked No. 11, while Volusia County sat at No. 14. These figures indicate that while Orlando is making progress, neighboring communities are facing increasing challenges in pedestrian safety.
Local concerns persist on a micro level as well. On Mercy Drive, for example, sidewalks end abruptly, forcing pedestrians to step into areas meant for vehicles. As the region continues to grow, local officials and residents remain focused on closing these infrastructure gaps to ensure safer travel for all Central Floridians.
