Iowa…A Place to…Walk?
Some of us grew up with the state’s economic development slogan being, “Iowa: A Place to Grow”—but according to data compiled by a national personal injury law firm, it’s a pretty good place to be a pedestrian, too.
To be specific, Iowa is the safest state in the U.S. in which to be a pedestrian. Only 0.4% of all American pedestrian deaths come from Iowa. States will similar small populations…North Dakota and New Hampshire…came in at second and third safest on the list.
In the reporting period between 2017 and 2019, Iowa had 2.09 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people…that’s 63% below the national average. Obviously, Iowa is a rural state, and more pedestrian deaths occur in densely populated areas.
However, the most dangerous state in the survey was New Mexico…with a number nearly six times greater than Iowa…11.49 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people.
But perhaps it’s not only rural-vs.-urban, but more broadly geographic. Minnesota is fourth safest…and all of the top ten safest states for pedestrians are northern states.
Alright, so it won’t be as prominent in chamber of commerce brochures as a low tax rate or unemployment rate…but number one ought to count for something.
