U.S. Highway Deaths Increase in 2005

By KEN THOMAS, AP

WASHINGTON (AP) - Traffic deaths in the United States reached their
highest levels since 1990, the government reported Tuesday, fueled by
an increase in motorcycle and pedestrian fatalities.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said 43,443 people
were killed on the highways last year, up 1.4 percent from 42,836 in
2004. It was the highest number of fatalities in a single year since
1990, when 44,599 people were killed.

The fatality rate also grew slightly to 1.47 deaths per 100 million
miles traveled, an increase from 1.45 in 2004. It was the first
increase in the fatality rate since 1986.

"We have no tolerance for any numbers higher than zero," said Acting
Transportation Secretary Maria Cino. "Motorcyclists need to wear their
helmets, drivers need to buckle up, and all motorists need to stay
sober."

The annual report found that motorcycle fatalities rose for the eighth
straight year, growing 13 percent since 2004. The government said 4,553
motorcyclists died in 2005, compared with 4,028 in 2004. Nearly half of
the people who died were not wearing helmets.

Pedestrian deaths increased from 4,675 in 2004 to 4,881 in 2005. NHTSA
said it was investigating the increase to try to learn what led to the
growth.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. The information contained in the
AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise
distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated
Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.


2006-08-23 12:14:21