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People who are age 60 and older make up 43.5 percent of the 23 pedestrians killed from 2009 through 2011 in Fairfield County, although they make up 18.8 percent of the population. Those 75 years old or more account for 6.7 percent of the total population yet 17.4 percent of pedestrian fatalities, according to the study.
People age 60 years old or more make up 18.5 percent of the country's population, but they accounted for 25.7 percent of the 13,209 pedestrians killed nationwide from 2009 through 2011.
“As our population ages, it is critical that we continue to invest in making our roadways safer for older residents and all users. AARP strongly supports roadway safety improvements, which will save lives and enhance the livability of our local communities,” Jennifer Millea, associate state director of communications for AARP Connecticut, said in a statement.
Westport in particular saw a number of pedestrian injuries and fatalities in the last few years, including a 93-year-old Stamford man, which led to crosswalk improvements in town.
“Route 1 has consistently topped the list of Connecticut’s most deadly roads for pedestrians,” Steven Higashide, the campaign’s senior planner and Connecticut coordinator, said in the statement. “Relatively low-cost and quick improvements like these will improve road safety. ConnDOT should continue to identify places along Route 1 that would benefit from similar treatments.”
The full report, as well as county fact sheets and maps showing the locations of pedestrian fatalities throughout the region, can be found here.
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