Newly released by Department of Transportation report celebrates decrease of the fatalities to the lowest number since 1950 – 33,808 in the U.S. for the year 2009. The decline in traffic deaths occurred even while estimated vehicle miles traveled in 2009 increased by 0.2% over 2008 levels.
Moreover, 2009 saw the lowest fatality and injury rates ever recorded: 1.13 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2009, compared to 1.26 deaths for 2008.
Fatalities declined in all categories of vehicles including motorcycles, which saw fatalities fall by 850 from 2008, breaking an 11-year cycle of annual increases. By the way, Paperless Insurance offers motorcycle insurance policy by Integon Preferred Insurance Company.
In addition, the number of people injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2009 declined for a tenth straight year in a row, falling an estimated 5.5% from 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Alcohol impaired driving fatalities declined by 7.4% in 2009 – 10,839 compared to 11,711 reported in 2008. Overall, 33 states and Puerto Rico experienced a decline in the number of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2009 compared to 2008.
Highlights of the latest Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and related NHTSA data include the following:
- 33,808 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2009, a 9.7% decline from 37,423 deaths reported in 2008, and the lowest number of deaths since 1950 (which had 33,186).
- An estimated 2.217 million people were injured in 2009, a 5.5% decline from 2.346 million in 2008.
- 30,797 fatal crashes occurred in 2009, down 9.9% from 34,172 in 2008. All crashes (fatal, injury and property damage only) were down by 5.3% in 2009 from a year ago.
- Forty-one states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico all had reductions in fatalities, led by Florida (with 422 fewer fatalities) and Texas (with 405 fewer fatalities).