Unsafe intersections, dangerous drivers and a fear of crime are top concerns for pedestrians in the District of Columbia, according to a survey by the city’s Department of Transportation released this week.

More than 4,800 people responded to the online survey, which will guide city officials as they prepare a pedestrian master plan to make D.C. safer for the city’s growing walking population. According to city statistics, 12 percent of its residents walk to work. Only New York City has a higher percentage.

“Pedestrian safety is at the top of our list of priorities,” D.C. Department of Transportation spokesman Erik Linden said. “If you look at Washington, we are becoming more and more of a walking city. Our goal is to make it a safe walking city.”

The most critical issue facing pedestrians in D.C. is unsafe street crossings, according to 46 percent of the respondents, while 24 percent cited a lack of personal safety and 16 percent pointed to poorly maintained sidewalks, or a lack of them altogether.

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Drivers not stopping for pedestrians in crosswalks, crime, drivers running red lights and speeding are the top four factors that make walking in D.C. unpleasant, according to the survey.

“We are in the process of evaluating the survey results,” Linden said. “We are thrilled with the response. We are happy so many people filled out the surveys.”

D.C.’s pedestrian plan is scheduled to be completed in October. The plan will analyze conditions at intersections with a high number of accidents involving pedestrians and propose improvements to sidewalks and intersections.

jrogalsky@dcexaminer.com