The number of traffic fatalities in 2008 reached its lowest level since 1961. There was a 9.7-percent decline in the number of people killed in motor vehicle crashes in the United States, from 41,259 in 2007 to 37,261, according to NHTSA’s 2008 Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). This decline of 3,998 fatalities is the largest annual reduction in terms of both number and percentage since 1982. More than 90 percent of this reduction was in passenger vehicles, which make up over 90 percent of the fleet of registered vehicles. Passenger car occupant fatalities declined for the sixth consecutive year, and are at their lowest level since NHTSA began collecting fatality crash data in 1975. Light-truck occupant fatalities dropped for the third consecutive year, and are at their lowest level since 1998. However, motorcyclist fatalities continued their 11-year increase, reaching 5,290 in 2008, accounting for 14 percent of the total fatalities. Data from previous years has shown that while motorcycle registrations have increased, the increase in motorcyclist fatalities has increased more steeply. The data shows a decrease in fatalities for all person types except motorcyclists and pedalcyclists. (Author/publisher)
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