BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) Drivers struck and killed 3,024 pedestrians in the first half of 2025, according to new data from the Governors Highway Safety Association, an 11% decline from the same period a year earlier.
The report also found that from 2024 to 2025, California saw a 31.5% decrease in pedestrian traffic fatalities.
Tanya Alsheikh, an attorney with Chain Cohn Clark, said she believes education has played a role in the decline.
Report shows decline in pedestrian traffic fatalities in California(KBAK/KBFX)
“I would probably primarily attribute it to better education. Informing the public about really what they should do to be more vigilant on the road,” Alsheikh said.
Alsheikh also cited figures from her law firm showing Kern County pedestrian traffic deaths decreased by 46.5% from 2024 to 2025.
She said that even with the downward trend, the impact remains significant.
“Similar to the same trends that we were seeing in the nation, right. There is a decrease that’s happening but that’s still 25 five families that have to say goodbye to somebody just because there was a lack of safety protocols that were being used when somebody was operating a motor vehicle,” Alsheikh said.
Report shows decline in pedestrian traffic fatalities in California (KBAK/KBFX)
Alsheikh said pedestrians face higher risk during the evening, in part because drivers may have difficulty seeing people crossing the street in dark clothing.
“Just simply because you have people that are wearing dark clothing that are crossing the street. And so, drivers either don’t see them or haven’t looked closely enough to notice that there is a pedestrian,” she said.
She urged pedestrians to stay alert and avoid distractions near roadways.
Report shows decline in pedestrian traffic fatalities in California (KBAK/KBFX)
“We need to avoid distraction. So being on your phone. Not looking around as you’re approaching a street. You have to be pretty vigilant as a pedestrian as well,” Alsheikh said.