Pedestrians in Florida and Delaware are at the biggest risk, according to new data released by the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration.

In 2015, there were 5,376 pedestrian deaths across the nation — a 9.5 percent increase from the 4,910 pedestrian deaths in 2014. On average, a pedestrian was killed every 1.6 hours and injured every 7.5 minutes in traffic crashes.

Florida had the second highest number of pedestrian deaths in 2015, with 628. California, a much more populated state than Florida, had the most with 742.

However, Florida's pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 population was the second highest in the country at 3.10. Delaware was No. 1 with 3.70 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 population.

The research shows the deaths across the United States were tied mostly to people who were distracted, drunk, crossing in unexpected places or wearing dark clothing.

However, the deaths in Florida are blamed less on the pedestrian and more on the roadways.

Issues like lack of sidewalks, wide lanes and fewer intersections per stretch of road all contribute, traffic experts said.

The Florida Department of Transportation has been working on updating its road design manual to better acknowledge that pedestrians and cyclists use the road, too.
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Bay News 9/News 13 has partnered with the Florida Department of Transportation on its "Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow" campaign. The idea is to make sure we’re all sharing the road with people who walk or ride their bikes, and everyone makes it where they need to be safely. FDOT has resources for you at alerttodayflorida.com.