The number of traffic fatalities and the fatality rate for traffic crashes has been decreasing across the United States for the past several years. However, the number of fatalities inKentucky in 2004 was the highest in approximately 30 years. The number of fatalities on public roads in Kentucky increased each year for 1999 through 2004. Also, the fatality crash rate in 2004 increased compared to previous years. This increase in the fatality crash rate in Kentucky has occurred since 1999 while the nationwide rate has decreased.. The rate in Kentucky was 1.71 crashes per 100 million miles (C/100 MVM) in 1999 compared to 2.07 C/100 MVM in 2004. The national rate has been about 1.5 C/100 MCM since 2000. The objectives of this study were to analyze fatal traffic crashes in Kentucky to identify patterns and causes of these crashes and to recommend potential countermeasures. (Author/publisher)
Abstract