NHTSA Analysis of Significant Decline in Fatalities in 2008

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NHTSA Analysis of Significant Decline in Fatalities in 2008

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NHTSA report An Analysis of the Significant Decline in Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities in 2008
In 2008 there were 37,261 people killed in motor vehicle crashes, the lowest number since 1961. With a further large drop in fatalities projected for 2009, this would mean motor vehicle traffic crash fatalities will have reached a level not seen since the early 1950s. The purpose of this report is to examine the current decline in fatalities, not just in relation to recent trends, but also in relation to any long-term changes that may be occurring.
The Abstract:
  • Fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes reached 43,510 in 2005. This was the highest number of fatalities reached since 1990. Since this
    recent peak, the number of reported fatalities has steadily declined every year, down to 37,261 in 2008. In particular, the number of fatalities
    reported for 2008, by NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), decreased by almost 10 percent as compared to 2007. The
    37,261 fatalities reported for 2008 also represented the lowest level of traffic fatalities since 1961. With fatalities projected to decline again
    in 2009 (down to 33,963), this would mean that between 2005 and 2009 motor vehicle traffic crash fatalities have declined almost 22 percent.
    Also in 2008, the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reached an all-time low of 1.25. The decline (down 2 percent) in
    the VMT was much less significant than the decline in the fatalities (down 10 percent). In addition to the sustained benefits from various
    vehicle and behavioral programs, the objective of this report is to identify areas that contributed to this significant decline in 2008. This
    report analyzes crash data from FARS and the National Automotive Sampling System General Estimates System (NASS GES), along with
    data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), to provide insight into the recent decline in fatalities. While the
    recorded number of fatalities is projected to significantly decline again in 2009 (down around 9%), the FARS data will not be available until
    the fall of 2010 for in-depth analysis.
    A significant decline from 2007 to 2008, slightly higher than 17 percent, was recorded for fatalities in crashes involving young drivers of
    passenger vehicles (ages 16-24). In comparison, fatalities in crashes involving passenger vehicle drivers between the ages of 25 to 44
    decreased by about 11 percent, those between 45-64 years old decreased by about 10 percent, and those 65 years old and older decreased by
    about 7 percent. Child fatalities (under 16 years old) decreased by about 20 percent. Other areas of significant declines in fatalities were
    those that occurred in multiple-vehicle crashes (about 13%), crashes involving large trucks (about 12%), crashes that occurred during the
    weekend (about 11%) and for occupant fatalities in vehicles that rolled over in multiple-vehicle crashes (19%). Motorcyclist and
    pedalcyclist fatalities showed an increase in 2008.
    The long-term declining trend observed in fatalities since reaching a high in the early 1970s has occurred while significant vehicle and
    occupant safety regulations and programs were being enacted by NHTSA and the States. NHTSA-administered behavioral and vehicle safety
    programs, both in the crashworthiness and crash avoidance areas, and through the issuing of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards has
    contributed significantly to the long-term downward trend seen in motor vehicle traffic crash fatalities. Roadway improvements, as well as
    commercial vehicle programs have also contributed to the decline. In addition to the continued effect of these safety countermeasures, the
    large drop in fatalities in 2008 and 2009 has also coincided with a recession in the U.S. economy.