WP: Roadway Deaths Rise to Highest Level in 15 Years

[DeepModem Mom]

Roadway Deaths Rise to Highest Level in 15 Years
By Sholnn Freeman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 23, 2006; Page A03

The number of people killed on U.S. roadways in 2005 climbed to the highest level in 15 years, an increase tied to rising deaths among motorcyclists and pedestrians, the federal government reported yesterday.

A total of 43,443 people died in traffic accidents last year, up 1.4 percent from the previous year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. The agency said the motorcycle death toll rose for the eighth consecutive year. Last year, 4,553 motorcyclists died on the roadways, up 13 percent from the previous year. The agency said 4,881 pedestrians were killed last year, up 4.4 percent.

"The traffic environment is getting more dangerous," said Adrian Lund, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "People are driving a lot faster. We've lost momentum in reducing alcohol-impaired driving and unprotected road users, like pedestrians, and to some extent motorcyclists are going to suffer from that."

Lund said state governments need to adopt stricter helmet laws. Twenty states have mandatory helmet laws for motorcyclists. Most recently, Pennsylvania, Florida and Texas have rolled back their helmet laws, a NHTSA spokesman said. Other states began removing helmet laws in the late 1970s after federal incentives to promote them ended. States that have repealed helmet laws have seen sharp rises in motorcycle deaths, the agency said.

Figures from the annual report also showed that the number of drivers killed, ages 16 to 20, fell 4.6 percent, to 3,374 in 2005. The agency also reported a decline in crash deaths of children younger than 16....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/22/AR2006082201152.html

[elehhhhna]

1. The # of 'cycles on the highways will rise exponentially to the high price

of gas. Heads up, people!

Lotsa drunk drivers out there, too. Just announced yesterday that Houston is the CAPITAL of Drunk Driving.
Disgusting.

[DeepModem Mom]

3. You're right -- I didn't think about cycle-riding increasing...

with cost of gas.

[elehhhhna]

6. Oh yeah. Hubs is soooo sad now that he sold Wanda the Honda

a few years ago. She was a '74, bought in 2001...

I keep reminding him gently that she was breaking down every 2 weeks.

[SmokingJacket]

2. I place part of the blame on low visibility in SUVs and minivans.

A local woman was run down in a crosswalk by a guy in a Ford Tahoe -- he apparently didn't see her, didn't even feel the car run over her and drag her down the street. That would NOT have happened if he'd been driving a Neon or even a regular station wagon.

[elehhhhna]

7. My Dodge Decrepit-- oops-- Intrepid had NO rear viz whatsoever.

High back, looked sorta cute, great if you want to back-up blind.

[SmokingJacket]

12. And apparently, you can't even see things out the FRONT of

some large vehicles, especially if they're close to the ground (like a person).

I had a minivan for a few months, couldn't stand to drive it -- all those blind spots.

[RedEarth]

13. I do too.....SUV's, or more appropriately UAV's (Urban Assault Vehicles)

are extremely dangerous to everyone on the road......pedestrians as well as other vehicles.

[hlthe2b]

4. don't leave out the pedestrians...

I can not believe how many times I personally have nearly been hit and Denver has had an incredible rash of hit/run pedestrian deaths. Cell phone-distracted drivers, aggressive, impatient/road-rage induced drivers, arrogance, and right-turn-on-red (without stopping), left turns through pedestrian cross-walks in total ignorance of the yield to pedestrians when lighted.... these same drivers mow over bicyclists and even motor scooter drivers. Many end up being teens, who may be totally ignorant of pedestrian right-of-way laws that I covered in drivers education classes-- given that these classes are no longer offered in school. Not to mention the assholes who speeed their BMWs out of the parking garages into and over the sidewalk without even slowing down to look....

I'm sure it is getting this way in many cities, but I feel like a target when I go out to walk the dog, now. Even with the flashing lights I put on myself (and the dog)and reflective clothing at night. Makes me want to have a gun to shoot out the tires as I escape within only inches of my life...:mad:

[jimbot]

5. Per capita rate doesn't seem all that different.

From the article:

"The fatality rate in 2005 was 1.47 per 100 million miles traveled. The rate takes into account the larger number of vehicles on U.S. roads and the greater number of miles traveled. In recent years, the agency has made steady progress in lowering the rate of roadway deaths. The rate dipped to its lowest level in 2004 at 1.45."

If 1.45 is the all time low and we are at 1.47 it is only a 1.4% increase which would be difficult to attribute to anything other than random variation.
It would be nice to see historical levels and fluctuations to get a feel for if this is even a story.

--JT

[elehhhhna]

8. so the high price of gas will probably save some lives.

Welcome to DU

[electropop]

9. I have been hit so many times in the past year - I feel like a target.

Drivers in DC have become ever meaner and crazier as the Culture of Corruption sets in.

[theophilus]

10. We need to all drive a Yaris or a Prius, etc. We need to all drive like

we care about other people...at least some. I see a lot of drivers yakking on their cells and, literally, acting like they own the road. People get mad at the most silly things. I have to argue with folks so they will take their right of way at intersections. They motion me on even when they are the ones who should go first. I don't think it is because they are nice, I think it is a power thing.

Anyway, how can tens of thousands die like this (and there are tons of other things that kill folks in droves like pollution and tainted food and the populace doesn't bat an eye or try to make the situation better. But if somebody gets "blowed up" by a terraist (and I am not belittling the victims of 911) we, as a nation, will spend billions and try to move heaven and earth to get "revenge". We are a stupid and silly nation. It makes me sad. Human life is only important if you get to whack your "enemies".

[donsu]

11. I was shocked this morning when I watched Miami's early morning

news cast. (I seldom watch Miami's morning news) I was watching between 6 - 6:30 a.m. and the traffic report cameras showed traffic, both ways, full up in all lanes. (3 & 4 lane roads, both sides)

I mean, bumper to bumper in all lanes! it was incredible.

people must go mad having to drive in all that traffic everyday.

and the amount of pollution going up into the air is mind boggling.

[theophilus]

17. Dems need to put the country to work building light electric rail.

It needs to be dependable and cheap. Traffic is getting ridiculous in many, many areas. The "Metroplex" is north Texas is growing exponentially and it takes an hour to go just a few miles. This is all counter productive as all get out. Where are Dems with a plan? This is something people are angry about. They need to see that SOMETHING CAN BE DONE! We need to work to save this country and this planet! Come on people, use your common sense. Things are going down the toilet and we are pulling the flush cord with this stupid consumption plague!!!!! Shape up or die out.

[Captain Hilts]

14. Pedestrian deaths are included. It's Pedestrian Polo in Bethesda, MD

[brentspeak]

15. Lots of recent fatal auto accidents in NJ

Last week, a family of three and one other person were annihilated on the NJ Turnpike by an idiot truck driver driving with a serious accident record. Last night, a car with a group of teens veered off the Turnpike, killing one, and another teen died in a separate accident on 9N.

[brentspeak]

16. Don't forget that Bush relaxed truck-driving regulations the other year

Not coincidentally, there's been a sharp increase in the number of highway accidents involving trucks.