U.S. traffic fatalities were up 13.5 percent over the first quarter of this year, reports The Detroit News. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, that's the most significant increase since 2008.
Largest spike in traffic deaths since 1979
National Highway Transportation Safety Administration officials were surprised to see the largest increase in traffic fatalities in the first three months of 2012 since 1979, according to the Detroit news. In the first quarter of 2011, there were 0.98 deaths per 100 million miles traveled, but that number increased to 1.10 traffic fatalities per 100 million miles. That is a massive increase. The NHTSA has been monitoring the mortality rates since 1975 and did not expect a rise at all.
For the last seven years, there has been a steady decrease in U.S. road fatalities, but 2012 is stopping that number. In the first quarter of 2011, there were 6,720 fatalities in crashes. That number increased to 7,630 deaths in the first quarter of 2012, according to the NHTSA.
Why does U.S. pavement run red?
When there are cold winter months, fewer people like to leave home and drive on the roads. Since there was warmer weather this winter, more people were driving.
"However, the winter of 2012 was also unseasonably warmer than usual in most areas of the country," noted the NHTSA in an official statement. "Consequently, the fatality rate for the first quarter should not be used to make inferences for the fatality rate for the whole of 2012."
The NHTSA released a report in May 2012 looking at the 2011 traffic fatalities. From 2010 to 2011, there was a 1.7 percent decrease in the quantity of highway traffic fatalities from 32,885 to 32,310 people. The overall 1.7 percent decrease for the year marked the lowest death rate since 1949. From 2005 to 2011, there was a total decreased of 26 percent from the 2005 fatality rate of 42,708.
More miles driven, but not by much
From 2011 to 2012, there was only a 9.7 billion boost in the number of miles driven. From 2010 to 2011, United States drivers drove about 35.7 billion fewer miles. This was due to low gasoline prices and the recession, according to the Washington Post. Driving in 2011 was at its lowest point since 2003.
This year's quantity of traffic fatalities really surprised the Governors Highway Safety Association executive director Barbara Harsha.
"While it is too early to draw conclusions about the data and the reasons for the increase, the strengthening economy and the warm winter may be factors," she said. "Any increase in traffic deaths is unacceptable and we remain absolutely committed to working with our partners at NHTSA and across the country to keep the roadways safe."
Largest spike in traffic deaths since 1979
National Highway Transportation Safety Administration officials were surprised to see the largest increase in traffic fatalities in the first three months of 2012 since 1979, according to the Detroit news. In the first quarter of 2011, there were 0.98 deaths per 100 million miles traveled, but that number increased to 1.10 traffic fatalities per 100 million miles. That is a massive increase. The NHTSA has been monitoring the mortality rates since 1975 and did not expect a rise at all.
For the last seven years, there has been a steady decrease in U.S. road fatalities, but 2012 is stopping that number. In the first quarter of 2011, there were 6,720 fatalities in crashes. That number increased to 7,630 deaths in the first quarter of 2012, according to the NHTSA.
Why does U.S. pavement run red?
When there are cold winter months, fewer people like to leave home and drive on the roads. Since there was warmer weather this winter, more people were driving.
"However, the winter of 2012 was also unseasonably warmer than usual in most areas of the country," noted the NHTSA in an official statement. "Consequently, the fatality rate for the first quarter should not be used to make inferences for the fatality rate for the whole of 2012."
The NHTSA released a report in May 2012 looking at the 2011 traffic fatalities. From 2010 to 2011, there was a 1.7 percent decrease in the quantity of highway traffic fatalities from 32,885 to 32,310 people. The overall 1.7 percent decrease for the year marked the lowest death rate since 1949. From 2005 to 2011, there was a total decreased of 26 percent from the 2005 fatality rate of 42,708.
More miles driven, but not by much
From 2011 to 2012, there was only a 9.7 billion boost in the number of miles driven. From 2010 to 2011, United States drivers drove about 35.7 billion fewer miles. This was due to low gasoline prices and the recession, according to the Washington Post. Driving in 2011 was at its lowest point since 2003.
This year's quantity of traffic fatalities really surprised the Governors Highway Safety Association executive director Barbara Harsha.
"While it is too early to draw conclusions about the data and the reasons for the increase, the strengthening economy and the warm winter may be factors," she said. "Any increase in traffic deaths is unacceptable and we remain absolutely committed to working with our partners at NHTSA and across the country to keep the roadways safe."
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