How safe are pedestrians and bicyclists in South Carolina?

Walking, running and riding a bicycle are known to be good forms of activity for a person to remain healthy. These activities have seen an increase in popularity over the last several years.

Unfortunately, people in South Carolina who enjoy walking, running or riding a bike must contend with serious risks when they share the roads with vehicles.

Pedestrian deaths in South Carolina

According to records from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrian deaths represented 10% of South Carolina’s total vehicular fatalities in 2009. By 2018, that number jumped to 16%.

In 2009, the state recorded 894 vehicular deaths, 89 of which were pedestrians. In 2018, there were 1,037 people killed in motor vehicle crashes statewide, 165 of which were pedestrians. Even when the total number of automotive deaths decreased from one year to the next, pedestrian deaths increased. For example, 989 people died in crashed in 2017, down from 1,020 the prior year. In 2017, 155 pedestrians died, up from 144 the prior year. Between 2014 and 2018, 694 people on foot were killed in automobile accidents in South Carolina.

Bicyclist deaths in South Carolina

In 2009, 11 people riding a bicycle died in accidents across the state of South Carolina. In 2015, 16 cyclists were killed and another 25 perished the following year. Between 2014 and 2018, 94 bicycle riders lost their lives in vehicular accidents in South Carolina.

This information is not intended to provide legal advice but is instead meant to give residents in South Carolina an overview of the number of pedestrians and bicyclists killed in vehicular accidents statewide each year.