Mortality risk associated with leaving home: recognizing the relevance of the built environment.

Objectives: I analyzed traffic fatalities and homicides related to leaving home for routine activities, and considered connections between these fatalities and the built environment.

Methods: I analyzed city, county, state, and federal data for traffic fatalities and homicides by strangers for 15 metropolitan areas, and classified deaths as occurring in the central city, in inner suburbs, or in outer suburbs (exurbs).

Results: Traffic fatality rates were highest in exurban areas.