2006 Fatalities Rate: Historic Low of 1.42; Highway Deaths Decline 2% to 42,642
Last year 42,642 people died in traffic crashes, 868 fewer than in 2005. It was the largest drop in overall fatalities in 15 years. That led to the historic low fatality rate of 1.42 per 100 million vehicles miles traveled, DOT Secretary Mary Peters reported.
Deaths of passenger vehicle occupants fell to 30,521, the lowest since 1993. Passenger car injuries dropped 6.2 percent and large truck injuries were down 15 percent.
For the first time ever, more people died in motorcycle crashes than the number of pedestrians killed. Motorcycle fatalities rose 5.1 percent to 4,810. Alcohol-related fatalities increased slightly.
See http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810791.PDF for more information.
Minnesota traffic deaths lowest since WWII
The state’s annual summary of traffic crashes shows there were 494 motorists killed last year, the fewest number of deaths since 1945.
The number represents a nearly 12 percent decrease from 559 traffic deaths in 2005.
Alcohol-related traffic deaths reached an all-time low of 166, down from 177 in 2005, but they still represented one-third of all road deaths.
…Traffic deaths of motorcycle operators/passengers continued a 10-year rise, mirroring a national trend. In 2006, motorcycles represented just 4 percent of registered vehicles in Minnesota but accounted for 70 deaths—nearly 14 percent of all traffic deaths.
Spotlight on Intersection Fatalities
In 2005, one-fifth of all highway fatalities occurred at intersections, taking 9,188 lives. FHWA’s Safety Compass spring newsletter highlights the problem and FHWA’s efforts to contribute to a solution. Some facts:
- Only 10% of all intersections are signalized, but nearly 30% (2,744) of intersection fatalities occurred at signalized intersections;
- Nearly 35% (950) of signalized intersection fatalities involved red-light running;
- 59% of intersection fatalities occurred in urban areas, and 41% in rural areas;
- There were 1,156 pedestrian fatalities (13%) and 259 bicyclist fatalities (3%) at intersections;
- Approximately 27% (2,450) of intersection fatalities involved people age 65 years or older;
- 47% of intersection fatalities resulted from right-angle (front-side) collisions;
- 59% of intersection fatalities occurred during daylight hours;
Follow these links for more information: Safety Compass and FHWA.
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