Author Affiliations: Dr Runge is Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, DC. Dr Cole is Contributing Editor, JAMA.
Older adults are more likely than any other age group to be killed while
crossing a street. Although only 12.6% of the US population in 2001 was estimated
to be 65 years or older, these older adults accounted for 1049 (21.5%) of
4882 deaths of pedestrians in motor vehicle crashes in that year.1 Marked crosswalks are often constructed at intersections
to enable pedestrians to cross safely. However, an article by Koepsell et
al2 in this issue of THE JOURNAL suggests that
marked crosswalks might not always be safe for pedestrians.
Runge JW, Cole TB. Crosswalk Markings and Motor Vehicle Collisions Involving Older Pedestrians. JAMA. 2002;288(17):2172-2174. doi:10.1001/jama.288.17.2172