A statistical projection of traffic fatalities shows that an estimated 34,080 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2012. This represents an increase of about 5.3 percent as compared to the 32,367 fatalities that occurred in 2011, as shown in Table 1. If these projections are realized, 2012 will be first year with a year-to-year increase in fatalities since 2005. Traffic fatalities have been steadily declining over the previous six years since reaching a near-term peak in 2005, decreasing by about 26 percent from 2005 to 2011. Also, in 2012, fatalities increased in the first (up 12.6%), second (up 5.3%), third (up 3.2%) and fourth (up 1.7 %) quarters, as compared to the respective quarters in 2011. Preliminary data reported by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) shows that vehicle miles travelled (VMT) in 2012 increased by about 9.1 billion miles, or about a 0.3-percent increase. On a quarterly basis, the 2012 VMT increased by 1.4 percent and by 0.8 percent in the first and second quarter, respectively, and decreased by 0.2 percent and by 0.7 percent in the third and fourth quarters, respectively. The fatality rate, per 100 million VMT, for 2012 is projected to increase to 1.16 fatalities per 100 million VMT, up from 1.10 fatalities per 100 million VMT in 2011. This rate surpasses the rate of 1.15 last reported in 2009. (Author/publisher)
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