Pedestrians in the dark: why pedestrian deaths are rising again
· Data as of 24 October 2026
Over five years (2021–2025), 3,506 pedestrians were hurt on Lithuania's roads and 167 of them died. Far fewer pedestrians are hurt than a decade ago, but deaths are rising again — from 28 in 2021 to 39 in 2025. The data shows fairly clearly when and where a pedestrian is most at risk: in the dark, in autumn and winter, in the evening, outside towns, and in older age.
A decade: fewer hurt, but more killed again
81 pedestrians died in 2015 and 28 in 2021: deaths fell almost threefold in six years. Since then the number has risen every year — 31, 34, 35 and 39 last year. The number of pedestrians killed or injured has stayed around 700 a year over this period, so it is not the number of pedestrians hit that is growing, but how badly they are hurt.
Source: Police Department under the Ministry of the Interior, injury crashes; ivykiuzemelapis.lt calculations.
Darkness is the main risk
A quarter of all pedestrian casualties were hurt in the dark (893 of 3,506), but 58% of the deaths happened then (97 of 167). Of every 100 pedestrians hurt in the dark almost 11 died, against fewer than 3 in daylight. Put differently, a pedestrian hit in the dark dies four times as often as one hit by day. The driver sees them too late — when stopping is no longer possible.
- Dark10.9(97 killed of 893)
- Twilight3.1(10 of 326)
- Daylight2.6(60 of 2,287)
Source: Police Department under the Ministry of the Interior, injury crashes; ivykiuzemelapis.lt calculations.
October to January: the four most dangerous months
In four autumn and winter months — October to January — 94 pedestrians died, more than half (56%) of all pedestrian deaths in five years. 28 died in December and 26 in October, against just 4 in May. December sees only about 1.7 times as many pedestrians hurt as the spring (399 against 234 in April), but several times as many killed: it is not just how often they are hit, but what happens when they are.
The most dangerous time of day is the evening. Between 5 and 10 pm, 73 pedestrians died (44%): in autumn and winter it is already dark then, and people are on their way home from work and school.
- January18
- February17
- March7
- April11
- May4
- June7
- July11
- August7
- September9
- October26
- November22
- December28
Source: Police Department under the Ministry of the Interior, injury crashes; ivykiuzemelapis.lt calculations.
A crossing protects — but not always
Pedestrians are hit more often off a crossing than on one: 1,909 and 1,519 such crashes in five years. The outcomes differ even more: off a crossing there were 6.3 deaths per 100 crashes, on one 3.0. In 2025, 29 pedestrians died off a crossing and 10 on one. Crossings are mostly in built-up areas, where traffic is slower, while on a rural road a pedestrian often walks along the verge in the dark.
Outside the cities, and in older age
City municipalities saw 65% of all pedestrian casualties but 42% of the deaths. Elsewhere it is the reverse: 35% of the casualties and 58% of the deaths. Of every 100 pedestrians hurt outside the cities almost 8 died, against 3 in the cities — higher speeds, fewer lit roads and pavements.
People over 65 made up 26% of pedestrian casualties but 37% of the deaths. An older body withstands an impact less well, and some older people cross more slowly. Children are hurt often (807 minors were) but rarely die — 5 in five years.
What it means
The data suggests that most lives can be saved where darkness, speed and an unprotected pedestrian meet. Lithuania's traffic rules require a pedestrian walking along the verge or the edge of the carriageway in the dark to wear a reflector or a high-visibility vest — with one, a driver sees them several times further away. On the infrastructure side, it means lit crossings, pavements and footpaths along roads, and lower speeds through villages.
Where pedestrians are hit most often in your municipality is on the municipality pages, and every pedestrian crash is on the map with the "Pedestrians" filter.