Editing Pedestrian (section)

===Road design impact on safety===
[[File:Forumhelsinkikauppakeskuskadunylitys.JPG|thumb|Pedestrians ready across the street next to the [[Forum (shopping centre)|Forum]] shopping center in [[Helsinki]], [[Finland]]]]
It is well documented that a minor increase in speed might greatly increase the likelihood of a crash, and exacerbate resulting casualties. For this reason, the recommended maximum speed is {{convert|30|km/h|-1|abbr=on}} or {{convert|40|km/h|0|abbr=on}} in residential and high pedestrian traffic areas, with enforced traffic rules on speed limits
and traffic-calming measures.<ref name="who.int" />

[[File:Euro-pedestrian traffic light.gif|thumb|upright=0.6|[[Traffic light]]s for pedestrians are also a factor in increasing safety. Animated pedestrian traffic light showing the pan-European sign.]]
The design of road and streets plays a key role in pedestrian safety. Roads are too often designed for motorized vehicles, without taking into account pedestrian and bicycle needs. The non-existence of sidewalk and signals increases risk for pedestrians. This defect might more easily be observed on arterial roadways, intersections and fast-speed lanes without adequate attention to pedestrian facilities.<ref name="who.int" /> For instance, an assessment of roads in countries from many continents shows that 84% of roads are without pedestrian footpaths, while maximum limited speed is greater than 40&nbsp;km/h.<ref name="who.int" />

Among the factors which reduce road safety for pedestrians are wider lanes, roadway widening, and roadways designed for higher speeds and with increased numbers of traffic lanes.<ref name="who.int" />

For this reason, some European cities such as [[Freiburg]] (Germany) have lowered the speed limit to 30&nbsp;km/h on 90% of its streets, to reduce risk for its 15 000 people. With such policy, 24% of daily trips are performed by foot, against 28% by bicycles, 20% by public transport and 28% by car. (See [[Zone 30]].)<ref name="who.int" />

A similar set of policies to discourage the use of cars and increase safety for pedestrians has been implemented by the Northern European capitals of Oslo and Helsinki. In 2019, this resulted in both cities counting zero pedestrian deaths for the first time.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/16/how-helsinki-and-oslo-cut-pedestrian-deaths-to-zero |title=How Helsinki and Oslo cut pedestrian deaths to zero |first=Jessica |last=Murray |date=16 March 2020 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |location=London}}</ref>