A new report from Smart Growth America has ranked Arizona’s 7th Congressional District — which encompasses much of central and west Phoenix, as well as Glendale — the most dangerous place to walk in America.

From 2008 to 2017, 344 pedestrians were killed in the 7th District alone — 4.48 for every 100,000 citizens, and the highest of any U.S. congressional district, according to the report, which was scheduled for release on Wednesday.

An Arizona Republic investigation published earlier this year found that 10 out of 12 “hot spots” where pedestrian crashes occur frequently are in Arizona’s 7th Congressional District.

Updated statistics released by the state last month showed Arizona recorded 1,764 motor vehicle crashes involving pedestrians in 2018, continuing a trend of such crashes increasing in recent years, according to a report issued by the state Department of Transportation in June.

Of those crashes, 242 involved fatalities, killing 245 people. Some of the crashes involved more than one pedestrian victim.

In 2017, there were 226 pedestrian fatalities, the reports said. The number of crashes involving pedestrians overall has increased by more than 1,000 between 2016 and 2018, according to the report.

U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., who represents the 7th district, is joining with colleagues to introduce a street safety bill titled the "Complete Streets Act of 2019" Wednesday morning in the House and Senate.

According to Smart Growth America, complete streets are “streets for everyone.”

“They are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities,” the organization's website said.

If passed into law, the bill would require states to provide funding for safe streets projects such as bike lanes and crosswalks. The projects would be funded with 5% of the state’s federal highway fund dollars.

“To access the funding, any eligible entities would need to adopt a Complete Streets policy, participate in technical assistance, and create a prioritized plan for Complete Streets projects in their jurisdictions,” according to a report from Smart Growth Arizona.

Among the varied goals of the Complete Streets program are for each state to provide technical assistance to local government agencies, and “to facilitate better pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit travel for users of all ages and abilities by addressing critical gaps in pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit infrastructure,” according to the bill.

Metropolitan planning organizations will help assure that the projects meet the standards of the U.S. Department of Transportation. In addition, states and regional planners will uphold standards to assure the safety of the projects for all people suing the roads, according to Smart Growth America.

“We need to make our communities friendly to all types of transportation, including biking, walking, and public transit,” Gallego said, in a prepared statement. “It will not only make our streets safer, but also spur the economy and improve public health.