July 2007 - Traffic Fatalities and Injuries Decline in 2006

The Department of Transportation's (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration posted preliminary traffic accident results from their 2006 Annual Assessment of Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Fatalities and Injuries. The preliminary data shows that the number of people killed in the United States in motor vehicle traffic crashes declined from 43,510 in 2005 to 42,642; the lowest level in five years. The number of people injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes also declined for the seventh year in a row. In 2006, just under 2.6 million people were injured, compared to nearly 2.7 million in 2005. The preview data shows that the number of people injured declined in all categories, except motorcycle riders, and that the decline was highest for large-truck occupants and passenger car occupants.

In other important results, the preview shows that the motor vehicle traffic crash fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) dropped to 1.42, from the 2005 level of 1.46. This is the lowest rate recorded by the DOT.

Fatalities in alcohol-related crashes in 2006 remained essentially the same as in 2005. Alcohol-related fatalities increased by 19 (0.1%) in crashes where the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was .08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or greater. The data indicates that overall declines in fatalities between 2005 and 2006 were essentially in crashes where there was no alcohol involvement. Drunk-driving enforcement will continue to be a top priority for the Department, said NHTSA Administrator Nicole Nason, noting no improvement in last year’s alcohol-related fatalities numbers. In 2006, 15,121 fatalities involved a driver or motorcycle operator, pedestrian, or cyclist who had a .08 or above BAC (blood alcohol concentration), compared to 15,102 in 2005.

Also, motorcycle rider fatalities continued their nine-year increase, reaching 4,810 in 2006. Motorcycle rider fatalities now account for 11 percent of total fatalities, exceeding the number of pedestrian fatalities for the first time since NHTSA began collecting fatal motor vehicle crash data in 1975. "Proper training, clothing, gear, and, above all, helmet use are essential to reversing this deadly trend," DOT's Secretary Peters said.

To view NHTSA's 2006 Traffic Safety Annual Assessment – A Preview, click on the following link: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810791.PDF.

COPYRIGHT ©2007, ISO Services Properties, Inc.

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