ORLANDO, Fla. – For years, the greater Orlando area carried a grim title: the deadliest place in the U.S. for pedestrians. But a new report shows that’s no longer the case — and while Orlando is falling in the rankings, other Central Florida communities are moving up.
The Smart Growth America report shows the Orlando area fell from No. 1 to No. 25 nationally.
News 6 Traffic Safety Expert Trooper Steve says the change is significant — but not a signal to ease up.
“We didn’t just jump from first place to second place. We went from first to 25th… that’s a big jump.”
The report found 433 pedestrian deaths from 2015 to 2019 in the Orlando-area region studied. From 2020 to 2024, that number fell to 419.
Trooper Steve says improvements that make streets safer for walkers often help everyone — including drivers.
“Any type of city that takes any effort to enhance its pedestrian safety… that’s a move in the right direction.”
The report points to funding and updated safety practices — including changes to intersections and pedestrian crossings.
At one crosswalk, people News 6 spoke with said the updates feel long overdue. News 6 asked a pedestrian what they thought when they saw the crosswalk: “Oh. About time.”
Even with the improved ranking, safety gaps remain. On Mercy Drive, for example, a sidewalk ends abruptly — forcing people to step into areas meant for cars.
Other areas in Florida ranked higher (worse) on the list:
Tampa area: No. 8
Brevard County area: No. 11
Volusia County (including Daytona Beach): No. 14
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