For the second year in a row, pedestrian traffic deaths soared in the U.S.
According to a preliminary report released by the Governors Highway Safety Association, nearly 6,000 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2017.
That number reflects essentially no change from 2016 data. And that's a big problem. The GHSA says it's been more than 25 years since the U.S. has seen this many pedestrian traffic fatalities.
The reasons behind this recent rise haven't been definitively proven. But experts believe smartphones and marijuana use are contributing factors.
As the GHSA said in a press release, "It is widely accepted both smartphones and marijuana can impair the attention and judgment necessary to navigate roadways safely behind the wheel and on foot."
The report is based on preliminary data gathered from the first half of 2017. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will release the official numbers later this year.
