In 2005, the number of auto accident fatalities in the U.S. climbed to the highest level in 15 years, an increase tied to rising deaths among pedestrians and motorcyclists.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said 43,443 people died in auto accidents last year, up 1.4% from 2004. 4,553 motorcyclists died on the in auto accidents, up 13% from 2004. The agency also said 4,881 pedestrians were killed last year, up 4.4%.
Adrian Lund, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said state governments need to adopt stricter helmet laws for motorcyclists. Twenty states have mandatory helmet laws for motorcyclists, but Pennsylvania, Florida and Texas have recently rolled back their helmet laws. States that have repealed motorcycle helmet laws have seen sharp rises in motorcycle deaths, Lund said.
NHTSA said it has also launched an investigation into the rising number of pedestrian deaths. NHTSA is providing $600 million to help states develop safety programs for pedestrians.
Auto accident occupant deaths, which do not include bicyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists, declined 1.4% to 31,415 in 2005. But occupant deaths in rollover accidents increased by 2.1%, to 10,816.
The NHTSA said 2.7 million people were injured in auto accidents, which is 3.2% decline from 2004.
Reference:
"Roadway Deaths Rise to Highest Level in 15 Years," Washington Post, Sholnn Freeman, August 2006.
