Motor vehicle accident death rate rises in U.S.

For the first time in seven years, motor vehicle deaths in the United States have increased, while the estimated cost in 2012 from deaths, injuries and property damage caused by accidents was US$276.6 billion, according to a new report from the U.S. National Safety Council.

“Motor-vehicle deaths in 2012 totaled 36,200, up 5% from 2011 and marking the first annual increase since 2004 to 2005,” NSC stated in its report, released this week by NSC’s statistics department. “The 2012 estimate is provisional and may be revised when more data are available.”

Itasca, Ill.-based NSC notes its fatality statistics are not comparable to those released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, because while NHTSA counts traffic deaths that occur within 30 days of accidents, NSC counts both traffic and non-traffic deaths that occur within a year of the accidents.

NCS’s latest report estimates that in the U.S., the death rate in 2012 was 1.23 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles travelled, up 4% from 2011.

“Medically consulted motor-vehicle injuries in 2012 are estimated to be about 3.9 million, a 5% increase from 2011,” according to NSC. The council broke down deaths, reported by state traffic authorities, for the past three years.

On its website, the Insurance Information Institute noted NHTSA reported that in 2011, 32,367 people died in motor vehicle crashes, which was the lowest level since record keeping began in 1994, when there were 30,246 deaths.

“NHTSA reports that traffic deaths in the first nine months of 2012 were up by (7.1%) from the first nine months of 2011,” according to III. The institute also included a chart, with data credited to NHSTA, showing driving behaviours reported for drivers and motorcycle operators in fatal collisions in 2010.

While 30% of vehicle operators on fatal collisions had no driving behaviour reported, 21.4% were reported to be “driving too fast for conditions or in excess of posted speed limit,” 16.7% were “failure to keep in proper lane or running off road” while in 15.9% of collisions, the drivers were reportedly under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication.

Distracted behaviour (including using a phone, talking and eating) were reported in 6.6% of fatal collisions while operating vehicle in an “erratic, reckless, careless or negligent manner” was reported in 5.5%.