Fort Lauderdale Outpaces Baltimore, Phoenix, St. Louis, Miami, New Orleans, Myrtle Beach and More as Deadliest Pedestrian Destinations: The Untold Dangers of US Vacation Cities

Published on December 25, 2025

By: Tuhin Sarkar

Fort Lauderdale has outpaced cities like Baltimore, Phoenix, St. Louis, Miami, New Orleans, and Myrtle Beach as the deadliest destination for pedestrians in the U.S. With its alarming pedestrian fatality rate, Fort Lauderdale is now at the forefront of a growing crisis in vacation cities across the country.

While tourists flock to these vacation hotspots for relaxation, many remain unaware of the pedestrian dangers lurking on their streets. Cities like Baltimore, Phoenix, St. Louis, and Miami are also seeing shocking levels of pedestrian fatalities, making US vacation cities more dangerous than ever.

This troubling trend calls for urgent attention, especially for those planning to visit places like Myrtle Beach and New Orleans, where pedestrian accidents are on the rise. Travel And Tour World urges readers to stay informed and read on to learn more about the untold dangers of these deadliest pedestrian destinations.

Florida Cities Take the Lead in Deadliest Pedestrian Destinations

Shocking Statistics Reveal Florida as a Danger Zone for Pedestrians

Pedestrian safety in the US is rapidly becoming a growing concern. A new analysis by Gammill Law, a leading accident and injury law firm, has revealed the most dangerous tourist destinations in the US for pedestrians. With four cities from Florida ranking in the top 10, including Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Miami, and Myrtle Beach, the Sunshine State is facing increasing scrutiny for its pedestrian fatality rates. In total, Fort Lauderdale tops the list as the deadliest city for pedestrians, with a staggering 52.10 crashes per 100,000 residents.

This disturbing trend highlights the ever-growing risks tourists face in some of the most popular US vacation spots. While pedestrians often walk between attractions, restaurants, and hotels, they are unknowingly walking through some of the highest-risk zones for fatal accidents. With pedestrian fatalities on the rise, tourists need to be more vigilant than ever when visiting these destinations.

Four Florida Cities in the Top 10 Most Dangerous for Pedestrians

Fort Lauderdale Leads the Pack with Alarming Pedestrian Crash Rates

Fort Lauderdale emerges as the most dangerous city for pedestrians in the study, with 52.10 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents. Between 2018 and 2023, the city saw 96 pedestrian fatal crashes. Fort Lauderdale’s alarming crash rate puts it in a league of its own, far surpassing other major cities in pedestrian accidents. Visitors are particularly vulnerable in this bustling city as they navigate busy streets filled with tourist attractions.

West Palm Beach follows closely behind, with a significant 37.06 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents. Known for its vibrant tourism scene, West Palm Beach has seen a concerning annual increase in pedestrian fatalities, with a 16.7% growth rate year over year. This makes it one of the most dangerous beach destinations for pedestrians, despite having a smaller population.

Meanwhile, Miami, another top-ranking Florida city, had 152 pedestrian fatalities during the study period, with a rate of 33.34 crashes per 100,000 residents. The city’s growing pedestrian fatalities show a worrying 6.6% annual growth rate, adding further fuel to the flames of concern for tourists and residents alike.

Alarming Growth in Pedestrian Fatalities Nationwide

Providence, Rhode Island Shows Worrying Growth in Pedestrian Deaths

While Florida’s cities dominate the rankings, Providence, Rhode Island, has experienced the highest growth rate in pedestrian fatalities, showing a staggering 41.4% annual increase. This alarming growth rate places it as a key area of concern for local authorities and residents. As tourism in Providence continues to grow, so does the risk to pedestrians. While the city doesn’t rank as high as the Florida cities, the rapid increase in fatalities is something that needs to be addressed urgently.

The study highlighted that 31 out of 49 cities analyzed showed positive growth rates in pedestrian fatalities, indicating a nationwide worsening trend. In many of these cities, the increase in pedestrian deaths is directly linked to the growing number of tourists walking between popular destinations without fully understanding the local traffic dangers.

A Deeper Look into the Most Dangerous Cities for Pedestrians

Baltimore, New Mexico, and Phoenix Join the List of High-Risk Pedestrian Destinations

It’s not just Florida and Providence that face pedestrian safety issues. Baltimore, Maryland ranks second with 43.88 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents, while Albuquerque, New Mexico is close behind with 43.55 crashes. Both cities recorded over 240 pedestrian fatalities between 2018 and 2023. These urban areas are known for their heavy traffic, which increases the risks for pedestrians.

In Phoenix, Arizona, 587 pedestrian fatalities were recorded, with a pedestrian crash rate of 35.57 per 100,000 residents. Despite having the highest number of pedestrian fatalities, Phoenix’s pedestrian crash rate is still below the top cities in Florida. Nevertheless, the city’s troubling statistics indicate that pedestrian safety is a growing concern.

Smaller Cities, Bigger Risks: The Danger of Vacation Destinations

Myrtle Beach: A Beach Paradise with Pedestrian Perils

While Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has a small population of just under 40,000, it ranks fourth in the country for pedestrian fatalities with 40.31 crashes per 100,000 residents. The city saw 16 pedestrian fatalities between 2018 and 2023. Known for its popular tourist attractions and beaches, Myrtle Beach is a prime example of how small tourist towns can be just as dangerous as major cities for pedestrians.

Despite its size, Myrtle Beach is an especially hazardous location for pedestrians because it is often overcrowded with visitors unfamiliar with the local traffic patterns. Tourists walking between the beach and various hotels, restaurants, and shops are frequently unaware of the high-risk zones they’re walking through.

The Growing Concern: Pedestrian Safety in Tourist-Hotspot Cities

How Cities Like New Orleans and St. Louis are Addressing Pedestrian Safety

As New Orleans and St. Louis complete the top 10 with crash rates of 30.76 and 35.49 per 100,000 residents respectively, these cities too have seen significant numbers of pedestrian fatalities. St. Louis, in particular, has recorded 100 pedestrian fatalities, while New Orleans had 112 total fatalities over the study period. However, New Orleans has made progress with a 4.2% annual decrease in pedestrian fatalities, showcasing that efforts to reduce pedestrian deaths can yield positive results.

In these cities, addressing pedestrian safety is critical to curbing the alarming rise in fatalities. Local authorities are being called to improve crosswalk visibility, implement traffic control measures, and increase public awareness of pedestrian risks.

The Need for Pedestrian Safety: A Call to Action

Tourists and Locals Must Be More Vigilant in High-Risk Areas

The rise in pedestrian fatalities nationwide highlights a pressing issue for tourists visiting popular destinations. Tourists are at a particular disadvantage when navigating unfamiliar streets in tourist-heavy cities like Fort Lauderdale, Baltimore, and Phoenix. As David Gammill, founder of Gammill Law, pointed out, visitors often fail to realise they are in high-risk zones, putting themselves in danger by walking distracted or at night.

Cities must take action to ensure the safety of their pedestrians. From better signage to improved crosswalk infrastructure, there’s much that can be done to address this crisis. Until that happens, tourists must exercise extra caution. Using crosswalks, avoiding distractions, and staying visible can make a significant difference in preventing pedestrian accidents.

Pedestrian Safety Isn’t Improving – What’s Next?

What Can Be Done to Address Pedestrian Fatalities Nationwide?

While Florida cities continue to rank at the top of the most dangerous list, the nationwide trend of increasing pedestrian fatalities is something that should concern all US residents and tourists. Simple measures such as enhanced pedestrian infrastructure, better traffic regulation, and increased public awareness can help turn the tide. Local governments need to take proactive steps to curb this growing issue before it becomes an even greater epidemic.

David Gammill, Founder and Trial Lawyer at Gammill Law commented on the findings: “The concentration of high-risk areas in Florida should serve as a warning to visiting tourists who might not be familiar with local traffic patterns.”

“It’s concerning that many of these dangerous areas are places where pedestrian activity is naturally high due to tourism. Visitors often walk between attractions, restaurants, and hotels without realizing they’re in one of the country’s highest-risk zones for pedestrian fatalities. 

“Tourists should exercise extra caution when visiting these high-risk destinations, particularly in Florida where four of the top ten most dangerous cities are located. Simple safety measures like using crosswalks, avoiding walking at night, and staying alert instead of being distracted by phones can make a significant difference.”