TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Traffic Fatalities Decline To Lowest Level Since 1994

ADVERTISEMENT

The Associated Press

Published: August 15, 2008

WASHINGTON - Traffic deaths in the United States declined last year, reaching the lowest level in more than a decade, the government reported Thursday.

Some 41,059 people were killed in highway crashes, down by more than 1,600 from 2006. It was the fewest number of highway deaths in a year since 1994, when 40,716 people were killed.

The fatality rate of 1.37 deaths for every 100 million miles traveled in 2007 was the lowest on record, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in its report.

"Thanks to safer vehicles, aggressive law enforcement and our efforts, countless families were spared the devastating news that a loved one was not coming home," said Transportation Secretary Mary Peters.

California had the largest decline, 266 fewer fatalities than the previous year. The largest percentage decreases were in South Dakota and Vermont.

In Florida, traffic deaths dropped from 3,357 in 2006 to 3,214 last year. That's a decrease of 143, or 4.3 percent.

North Carolina's death toll increased the most in the nation, up 121 over the previous year. The District of Columbia and Alaska had the highest percentage increases.
Motorcycle deaths rose for the 10th straight year. There were 5,154 motorcycle deaths last year, compared with 4,837 in 2006.

Peters, an avid motorcyclist who keeps a scuffed helmet in her office that she credits with saving her from a severe head injury in a 2005 crash, said the rise in motorcycle fatalities was disappointing.

The increased deaths have come while the number of registered motorcycles has surpassed 6 million, compared with 3.8 million in 1998, and vehicle miles traveled have risen.

Peters said that with higher fuel prices, more people may use motorcycles or scooters that can get 50 to 60 miles a gallon.
Traffic injuries fell for the eighth straight year, to fewer than 2.49 million injuries in 2007, compared with 2.58 million in 2006.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT