Road safety data: 71 pedestrians killed, 92 injured in Venezuela first half of 2026

In the first six months of 2026, pedestrian-vehicle collisions in Venezuela resulted in 71 deaths and 92 injuries, according to data from the Observatory of Road Safety (OSV). The OSV compiled these figures from media reports, digital channels, and emergency calls, but cautioned that the actual toll is likely higher due to underreporting.

Pedestrian fatalities remained a consistent cause of road accidents throughout the first half of the year. January saw 13 deaths and 6 injuries, followed by 13 deaths in February and 14 in March. The OSV noted that 60% of pedestrians killed by being run over in February were over 65 years old. April recorded 7 pedestrian deaths and 23 injuries, while May registered the highest number of fatalities with 15 deaths and 14 injuries. June concluded with 9 fatalities and 14 injuries.

Rosibel González, coordinator of the OSV, emphasized the extreme vulnerability of pedestrians on Venezuelan streets. "The figures from the first semester confirmed the total defenselessness in which our pedestrians travel," she stated. The report indicates that victims spanned various age groups, with a concerning increase in incidents involving children and older adults.

These accidents occurred on urban streets and highways leading to rural communities. González criticized the tendency to place sole responsibility on pedestrians, pointing to structural deficiencies, absent traffic signals, and insufficient driver oversight as significant contributing factors to the high accident rates. She urged relevant institutions to reactivate traffic lights, demarcate pedestrian crossings, and enhance speed monitoring on major roads, reminding that "the pedestrian is the passive actor on the road; they do not have a chassis to protect them nor do they control the steering wheel."