Drivers in San Antonio need to be more aware of their surroundings as the city was just named the seventh most dangerous city for pedestrians in the country.
The unfortunate ranking is the result of a new study by North Texas personal injury attorney Matthew E. Aulsbrook, also known as “The Texas Law Dog.” The report analyzed the 10 most dangerous cities in the U.S. based on the number of pedestrian fatalities, walkability scores and the percentage of designated parks and recreation areas in each city.
The study found that there were 66 pedestrian crashes in San Antonio and 5.54 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents. Only 10 percent of the city has designated park and recreation areas.
San Antonio scored 37 for walkability according to WalkScore.com, which classifies the city as a “car-dependent” place where a vehicle is required for most errands.
This isn’t the first time San Antonio has made headlines for a lack of driver attention and safety. In early 2024, San Antonio came under scrutiny for having the 12th worst drivers in the country. And in 2023, San Antonio drivers lost an average of 35 hours of time due to traffic congestion.
In the rest of Texas, Fort Worth is far more dangerous for pedestrians than San Antonio, ranking three spots higher than the fourth most dangerous city in the U.S. There have been 32 pedestrian crashes in Fort Worth, and the city has a pedestrian fatality rate of 3.24 per 100,000 residents. Fort Worth scored 35 for pedestrian friendliness, which also puts it in the “car dependent” category.
“Fort Worth has a minimal public transit system and not many bike lanes,” says WalkScore.com.
Dallas ranks one spot behind San Antonio as the eighth most dangerous city for pedestrians and also earns the “car-dependent” designation with a walkability score of 46. The “car-dependent” scores range from 25 to 49. So while Dallas ranks at the top end of the category, it still doesn’t do enough to be considered “somewhat pedestrian-friendly.”
To improve pedestrian safety, a Texas Law Dog spokesperson suggested a “multi-pronged approach” that brings together the local community and public officials.
“Urban planners and policy makers must not only consider the physical structure of a city, but also implement comprehensive safety programs that include public education, law enforcement and civic engagement,” the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, Memphis, Tennessee, is the most dangerous city for pedestrians and has the highest fatality rate in the United States. Memphis has more than 13 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents, and only six percent of the city is dedicated to parks and recreational areas.
The 10 most dangerous cities for pedestrians are:
- No. 1 – Memphis, Tennessee
- #2 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- #3 – Charlotte, North Carolina
- No. 4 – Fort Worth, Texas
- No. 5 – Detroit, Michigan
- No. 6 – Louisville, Kentucky
- No. 7 – San Antonio, Texas
- No. 8 – Dallas, Texas
- No. 9 – Phoenix, Arizona
- No. 10 – Columbus, Ohio
