NHTSA: Traffic Fatalities Up 8% Last Year
The number of people who died in motor vehicle traffic accidents during the first nine months of 2016 increased by 8% over the previous year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicated on Jan. 13.
The agency’s statistical projection found an estimated 27,875 people died in vehicle accidents during that time in 2016, while 25,808 fatalities were reported for that same period in 2015. Additionally, the third quarter of last year represented the eighth consecutive quarter showing increases in such fatalities.
Also, the fatality rate for 2016’s first nine months increased to 1.15 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. That represents an increase from 1.10 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled during the first nine months of 2015.
The agency noted it relied on the same methodology used to generate the estimates for the first nine months of 2016 as it did to record the fatalities for 2015.
“It is too soon to attribute contributing factors or potential implications of any changes in deaths on our roadways,” according to NHTSA.
An agency spokesperson told reporters on Jan. 13 the figures represented “a real crisis" that merits a national "call for action."
