Being a pedestrian in a country designed and built for cars is inherently risky. As the sun sets and the day transitions into night, the danger to pedestrians increase, and the statistics are sobering. As a pedestrian, you must be aware of the times when you are statistically most likely to get hit by a motor vehicle.

When the clock strikes midnight, most people are off the roads and at home asleep, but for pedestrians, their journey might just be beginning. Surprisingly, this late hour registers a significant number of incidents, with 1,226 reported cases.

As the witching hour passes and we step into the early morning, the risk persists. 3 AM, a time usually reserved for deep slumber, witnesses 852 incidents.

By dawn's first light, you'd hope for safety to return, yet the numbers tell a different story. 6 AM brings with it a staggering 1,618 incidents.

As the sun climbs higher, so does the risk. 8 AM, a time when rush hour typically ensues, sees 2,618 incidents.

The lunchtime rush may offer a brief respite, but danger is still present. 1 PM, a seemingly innocuous hour, records 3,418 incidents.

As the afternoon wears on, the numbers continue to climb. 3 PM, a time when school lets out and streets fill with children, sees a staggering 4,780 incidents. It's a troubling statistic, highlighting the need for heightened awareness, especially among children and their caregivers, during peak hours.

By the time the evening arrives, the streets are a battleground. 5 PM is the most dangerous time to be a pedestrian with 5,226 motor vehicle/pedestrian incidents occuring in 2022. It's a harrowing reminder that even familiar streets can become treacherous under the cover of darkness.

As night falls and the clock ticks towards midnight once more, the dangers persist. 11 PM, a time when most are winding down for the night, still sees 1,671 incidents.

Data Source and Methodology

The data above count NFIRS basic incidents, year 2022, for all states, where mutual aid is not given (codes 3 and 4), and the incident type is "Motor vehicle/pedestrian accident (MV Ped)" (code 323).

Mutual aid given incident reports are not counted in order to avoid duplicates.