Current:Home > FinanceNHL star's death shocks the US. He's one of hundreds of bicyclists killed by vehicles every year.-InfoLens
NHL star's death shocks the US. He's one of hundreds of bicyclists killed by vehicles every year.
View Date:2024-12-23 11:52:51
Hockey fans were stunned by the deaths of Columbus Blue Jackets star forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, who were killed when a suspected drunk driver fatally struck the siblings while they were biking.
For cyclists, it's the latest example of an incident that's become all too familiar.
The latest federal statistics show the Gaudreau brother's deaths are not an anomaly, as the number of bicyclists who died in motor vehicle crashes in 2022 jumped to its highest mark in years.
The deaths have galvanized biking safety advocates around the nation, like the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, which spoke out about bike lane safety in the city after children's hospital doctor Barbara Friedes, 30, was struck and killed while biking in July.
Read more:Johnny Gaudreau killed in NJ crash involving suspected drunk driver
Growing number of bicyclists dying in traffic crashes year after year
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 1,105 bicyclists died in 2022 due to motor vehicle crashes. While 2022 was the first year that motorized bicycles were included in the tally, this figure trumps the number of deaths in previous years, including in 2021 (976), 2020 (948), 2019 (859) and 2018 (871).
The NHTSA said the number of bicyclists killed in traffic crashes has even been "steadily trending upwards since 2010."
In 2022, the majority (59%) of bicyclist fatalities took place at non-intersection locations and involved collisions with light trucks — including SUVs, pickups and vans, according to the NHTSA. The average age of cyclists killed in 2021 was 49.
Bicyclist fatalities in 2022 tended to occur in urban areas more than in rural areas, with urban fatalities accounting for 83% of bicyclist deaths, the federal agency said. The proportion of bicyclist fatalities in urban areas jumped from 69% in 2011 to 83% in 2022.
Bicyclist deaths were highest in Florida (222), followed by California (177) and Texas (91), according to the NHTSA. No cyclist fatalities were reported in Nebraska or Rhode Island.
How did the Gaudreau brothers die?
The Gaudreau brothers were killed while biking Thursday night in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, close to their hometown in Salem County, New Jersey State Police said.
Sean Higgins, a suspected drunk driver, was charged with two counts of death by auto after crashing his Jeep Grand Cherokee into the brothers on a rural road, according to the department.
Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and his brother, Matthew, 29, died after suffering fatal injuries, police said.
"The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy. Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend," the NHL team said in a statement. "We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew."
What can be done to prevent bicyclist deaths?
The League of American Bicyclists, a nonprofit promoting cycling, offered suggestions to improve safety and prevent deaths, including:
- Producing safer cars equipped with automatic emergency braking systems capable of detecting bicyclists and subsequently avoiding a potentially fatal crash.
- Promoting and implementing protected bicycle infrastructure to create safer roads.
- Embracing slower speed limits for urban and residential districts.
The NHTSA seemingly agrees with the nonprofit, particularly when it comes to building a more cyclist-friendly infrastructure.
"A focus on systematically improving infrastructure in tandem with road users’ safe behaviors is important to increasing population-level safety (measured as a reduction in population-wide fatalities and injuries) and people on bicycles or bicycling mode share," according to the federal government agency. "Safety improvements with increases in bicycling will reduce individual risk."
Contributing: Brian Hedger and Cole Behrens, Columbus Dispatch; Jay Cannon, USA TODAY
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Dramatic video shows Phoenix police rescue, pull man from car submerged in pool: Watch
- Incredible animal moments: Watch farmer miraculously revive ailing chick, doctor saves shelter dogs
- Gisele Bündchen Makes First Major Appearance Since Pregnancy
- Supreme Court seems likely to allow class action to proceed against tech company Nvidia
- Groups seek a new hearing on a Mississippi mail-in ballot lawsuit
- DWTS’ Sasha Farber and Jenn Tran Prove They're Closer Than Ever Amid Romance Rumors
- 2 weeks after Peanut the Squirrel's euthanasia, owner is seeking answers, justice
- Oklahoma school district adding anti-harassment policies after nonbinary teen’s death
- Stop smartphone distractions by creating a focus mode: Video tutorial
- What is prize money for NBA Cup in-season tournament? Players get boost in 2024
Ranking
- Fantasy football buy low, sell high: 10 trade targets for Week 11
- Massachusetts lawmakers to consider a soccer stadium for the New England Revolution
- Crews battle 'rapid spread' conditions against Jennings Creek fire in Northeast
- McDonald's Version: New Bestie Bundle meals celebrate Swiftie friendship bracelets
- Trading wands for whisks, new Harry Potter cooking show brings mess and magic
- Infowars auction could determine whether Alex Jones is kicked off its platforms
- NYC bans unusual practice of forcing tenants to pay real estate brokers hired by landlords
- Jason Kelce Jokes He Got “Mixed Reviews” From Kylie Kelce Over NSFW Commentary
Recommendation
-
'This dude is cool': 'Cross' star Aldis Hodge brings realism to literary detective
-
Bill on school bathroom use by transgender students clears Ohio Legislature, heads to governor
-
Michelle Obama Is Diving Back into the Dating World—But It’s Not What You Think
-
Caitlin Clark shanks tee shot, nearly hits fans at LPGA's The Annika pro-am
-
Rōki Sasaki is coming to MLB: Dodgers the favorite to sign Japanese ace for cheap?
-
Biden, Harris participate in Veterans Day ceremony | The Excerpt
-
Martha Stewart playfully pushes Drew Barrymore away in touchy interview
-
LSU student arrested over threats to governor who wanted a tiger at college football games