This paper presents results of a study to determine the characteristics of pedestrian accidents in California in 1973.

California pedestrians accounted for 861 fatalities in 1973, less than the 3,443 drivers and passengers killed in motor vehicle accidents, yet more than the combined total of bicyclist (115) and motorcyclist (486) fatalities. City statistical accident information was collected from the inventories of the AAA Pedestrian Appraisal Program in California for 1973. Factors such as the age and sex of pedestrian victims, day and night involvement, pedestrian and vehicle actions prior to the collision, and the influence of the socio-economic level of the cities upon the age distribution of the pedestrian accidents are analyzed using the survey data collected.

Results of the study include a matrix of critical behaviors identified by age group which will be useful in the development of specific countermeasure programs. The research shows that specific age groups are most often involved in pedestrian accidents, irrespective of the economic or educational level of the cities. Conclusions of the study appear to substantiate the results of other pedestrian studies on both the national and local levels.