After 6 consecutive years of declining fatalities on national highways, data from the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate a 3.3% increase in highway deaths in 2012. Most of these deaths, 72%, occurred in the first quarter of the year, most of which involving motorcyclists and pedestrians.
The 2012 Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data show an in increased in fatalities from 32,479 recorded in 2011 to 33,561 in 2012, marking the first increase since 2005. Despite this increase, however, highway deaths over the past 5 years continue to remain historically low. Fatalities in 2011 were at the lowest level since 1949 and despite this slight increase in 2012, data still met the same level of fatalities as 1950.
"Highway deaths claim more than 30,000 lives each year and while we've made substantial progress over the past 50 years, it's clear that we have much more work to do," says U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "As we look to the future, we must focus our efforts to tackle persistent and emerging issues that threaten the safety of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians across the nation."
Other key statistics from the 2012 report:
- Pedestrians fatalities increased for the third consecutive year (6.4% increase over 2011). Data indicate most of these deaths occurred in urban areas, at non intersections and at night, and many involved alcohol.
- Motorcyclist fatalities increased for the third consecutive year (7.1% increase over 2011). Data show that 10 times as many riders died not wearing a helmet in states without a universal helmet law than in states with such laws.
- Large-truck occupant fatalities increased for the third consecutive year (8.9% increase over 2011).
- Deaths in crashes involving drunk drivers increased 4.6% in 2012. Data show most of these crashes involved drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15 or higher.
- The number of people killed in distracted-driving crashes decreased slightly from 2011 to 2012, but an estimated 421,000 people were injured, marking a 9% increase from those injured in 2011.
- Seat belt use continues to be an issue at night. According to data, almost two-thirds of those who died in nighttime crashes in 2012 were unrestrained.
View the full report.