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U.S. Traffic Fatalities Rise to 10-Year High
Traffic deaths in the U.S. climbed almost 6% (2,000 fatalities) to 37,500 last year, the largest total in 10 years and the third consecutive year of growth.
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Traffic deaths in the U.S. climbed almost 6% (2,000 fatalities) to 37,500 last year, the largest total in 10 years and the third consecutive year of growth, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports.
The increase follows an 8% jump in 2015, which was the biggest percentage gain in more than 50 years. The country’s all-time largest spike in traffic fatalities was a 9% jump in 1964.
The agency says last year’s fatality rate climbed nearly 3% to 1.18 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles from 1.15 per 100 million miles in 2015 . Overall miles driven rose 2% from 2015 to 2016.
NHTSA says the largest single cause of traffic deaths last year was drunk driving. Other risky behavior, such as speeding and not wearing seatbelts, also contributed to the overall increase. Fatalities attributed to distracted driving, which includes texting, fell 2% last year, according to the agency.
Non-vehicle occupants—meaning pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists—accounted for nearly one-third of last year’s traffic deaths. That ratio compares with about 25% in 2007.
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