Albany

Capital Region pedestrians are less likely to be killed on area streets than pedestrians nationally, according to a report released Tuesday detailing pedestrian fatalities and calling for improved safety.

The Capital Region averaged 1.06 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 residents from 2003-12 compared to the national average of 1.56 per 100,000 and the New York state figure of 1.61 per 100,000.

"Dangerous by Design 2014," released by Smart Growth America in Washington, D.C., calls for making the nation's roadways safer for walkers through better design and policy at a time when a stroll down the street is becoming increasing popular.

"American communities are poised for a renaissance in walking. We're walking more often, for fun and to get to places in our neighborhood," the report states.

"But we are still dealing with a legacy of roadways that fail to account for the safety of people on foot," the report said.

The study says that from 2003-12 more than 47,000 people died across the country while walking.

The Capital Region accounted for 88 of the fatalities.

Most occurred in Albany County, with 40, followed by Saratoga County with 24, while Rensselaer and Schenectady counties each had 12. Schoharie County, which is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area, had no pedestrian deaths.

More Information Mapping accidents Dangerous by Design 2014 includes an interactive online map that will show pedestrian fatalties within a certain distance of a given street address. It can be accessed at http://tinyurl.com/q3ft5vl - Dangerous by Design 2014. See More Collapse

"We're trying to get the number down to zero. One is too many," said Jim Gordon, chairman of the Rensselaer County Traffic Safety Board.

The annual pedestrian deaths per 100,000 residents in each county are 1.32 in Albany; 1.11 in Saratoga; 0.79 in Schenectady; and 0.76 in Rensselaer.

Ensuring pedestrian safety is a constant challenge, said Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, a member of the county traffic safety board.

"We never stop. We always ask, how do we make it safer for our pedestrians?" Apple said.

In Rensselaer County, pedestrian safety also is reviewed. "Pedestrians become an issue when drivers are distracted," Gordon said.

An interactive map that accompanies the report shows that Central Avenue from Albany west through Schenectady is the scene of many pedestrian fatalities.

A Times Union story in April 2013 reported that, on average, a pedestrian was hit by a car on or near Central Avenue more than once a week, and that eight pedestrian fatalities occurred on the road between 2009 and 2013.

kcrowe@timesunion.com • 518-454-5084 • @KennethCrowe