A statistical projection of traffic fatalities for the first quarter of 2013 shows that an estimated 7,200 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes. This represents a decrease of about 4.4 percent as compared to the 7,530 fatalities that were projected to have occurred in 2012. Preliminary data reported by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) shows that vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in the first three months of 2013 decreased by about 5.6 billion miles, or about a 0.8-percent decrease. The fatality rate for the first three months of 2013 decreased to 1.04 fatalities per 100 million VMT down from 1.08 fatalities per 100 million VMT in the first quarter of 2012. The percentage change in fatalities has been steadily decreasing since the significant 12.3 percent increase projected for the first quarter of 2012. The estimate for traffic fatalities in 2012 has been revised down significantly from those projected earlier in the year for the whole of 2012 (Early Estimates of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities in 2012, DOT HS 811 741). According to the new estimates, fatalities in 2012 are projected to have increased by about 4.4 percent as compared to the 5.3 percent increase previously reported. The actual counts for 2012 and the ensuing percentage change from 2011 to 2012 will be further revised as finalized FARS files for 2011 are available later this year as well as when the annual reporting file for 2012 is available later this year and the final file for 2012 is available next year. These estimates will be further refined when the projections for the first 6 months of 2013 will be released in late September. (Author/publisher)
Abstract