National Safety Council estimates traffic fatalities down

Preliminary data collected by the US National Safety Council indicates deaths from motor vehicle crashes during the first six months of 2013 are down 5 per cent, compared to the same six month period last year. In 2013, an estimated 16,620 traffic deaths occurred from January through June, compared to 17,430 in 2012. Definitive reasons behind the decrease are not known. "The Council will be keeping a close eye on our monthly traffic fatality estimates to determine if this decrease is just a blip on the rad
August 9, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
Preliminary data collected by the US 4953 National Safety Council indicates deaths from motor vehicle crashes during the first six months of 2013 are down 5 per cent, compared to the same six month period last year. In 2013, an estimated 16,620 traffic deaths occurred from January through June, compared to 17,430 in 2012.  Definitive reasons behind the decrease are not known.

"The Council will be keeping a close eye on our monthly traffic fatality estimates to determine if this decrease is just a blip on the radar," said Janet Froetscher, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. "We are encouraged to see this downward trend and will remain vigilant to keep our roads as safe as possible."

In addition to human loss, motor vehicle crashes present a significant national cost in lost wages and productivity, medical expenses, administrative expenses, employer costs and property damage. The preliminary cost of motor vehicle deaths, injuries and property damage through June was US$127 billion. 

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • New USDOT report points to need for more investment in highways, transit
    March 3, 2014
    US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has announced that a new report on the state of America's transportation infrastructure, 2013 Status of the Nation's Highways, Bridges and Transit: Conditions and Performance, confirms that more investment is needed to maintain and improve the nation's highway and transit systems. Last month, Secretary Foxx highlighted the need for transportation investment in a speech that took aim at America’s infrastructure deficit and identified ways to use innovation and improv
    Read More
  • Road safety - the challenge ahead
    April 25, 2012
    More than 1.3 million people die in road accidents each year. If nothing is done, this already chilling figure risks to rise to 1.9 million deaths per year. Around 90 per cent of road fatalities occur in emerging and developing countries. Here, the mixture of population growth and higher numbers of vehicles due to rising incomes are proving a deadly combination, as infrastructure and regulatory environment have difficulty keeping pace.
    Read More
  • Ukraine turns to ITS to cope with traffic increases
    June 9, 2015
    With increasing road fatalities the Ukrainian government is planning to introduce ITS technology in 2016-2017. Eugene Gerden finds out more. The government of Ukraine is considering a massive introduction of ITS in the national system of traffic during the period 2016-2017, according to a recent statement by the Ukrainian Ministry of Transport. According to the Ukrainian government, implementation of the project is an acute need, as in recent years the number of road accidents in Ukraine has significantly
    Read More
  • Strong first quarter 2014 for IRD
    April 16, 2014
    International Road Dynamics (IRD), Canada-based intelligent transportation systems (ITS) supplier, has announced solid growth for the three months ended February 28, 2014. Revenue increased by 32.2 per cent to $10.3 million compared to $7.8 million for the same quarter last year. Solid growth was achieved in the Company's Canada and United States and Latin America markets, while EBITDA increased to $490,090 compared to a loss of $190,359 in the first quarter of 2013. Quarter one of 2014 is the fourth con
    Read More

Highlighted Content