More pedestrians killed in crashes in 2020 despite less traffic amid the pandemic

The number of pedestrians killed in vehicle crashes rose in 2020, despite fewer cars on the road amid the pandemic. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), an organization that represents highway safety agencies, estimated there were 6,721 pedestrian deaths in 2020. GHSA said the pedestrian fatality rate rose 21% from 2019 -- making it the largest ever annual increase. "Reckless driving was really impacting pedestrian safety during the pandemic and that is mind boggling to us because we know that vehicle miles traveled dropped," Pam Shadel Fischer, GHSA's senior director of external engagement, told ABC News. Kansas, Vermont and Rhode Island saw the highest percentage increases in pedestrian deaths. Shadel Fischer said the likely culprits were dangerous and distracted driving.