AASHTO Journal, 10 May 2013
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last week released preliminary numbers on the number of highway fatalities that occurred in 2012, showing a more than 5 percent increase from 2011. The preliminary numbers show the first year-to-year uptick in highway traffic fatalities in seven years.
NHTSA’s data showed that 34,080 individuals died as a result of motor vehicle crashes in 2012, an increase of 1,713 from 2011. Fatalities increased in every quarter of the year—up 12.6 percent for the first quarter, 5.3 percent in the second quarter, 3.2 percent in the third quarter, and 1.7 percent in the fourth quarter. Also up was the number of vehicle miles traveled by the motoring public. NHTSA reported that VMT increased by just more than 9 billion miles in 2012, which represents a .3 percent increase. That VMT increase wasn’t enough to keep steady the fatality rate among VMT, which stands at 1.16 fatalities per 100 million VMT in 2012. This is an increase from the 1.1 fatalities per 100 million VMT in 2011.
Though the number of highway deaths went up in 2012 from 2011, the general trend for highway fatalities is still showing a decline.
“While it is too soon to speculate on the contributing factors or potential implications of any increase in deaths on our roadways, it should be noted that the historic downward trend in traffic fatalities in the past several years means any comparison will be to an unprecedented low baseline figure,” according to NHTSA.
Safety experts, while not happy about the 2012 increase, believe that the passage of MAP-21, the current surface transportation bill, could help those numbers going forward.
“While today’s news is upsetting, the good news is that last year’s highway bill provides states with needed resources to conduct educational programs and enforcement efforts that are proven effective,” said GHSA Executive Director Barbara Harsha in a statement. “States are committed to working with NHTSA and other partners to save lives and reduce injuries.”
NHTSA’s full summary, “Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities in 2012,” is available here.