This fact sheet contains statistics on motor vehicle fatal crashes based on data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). FARS is a census of fatal crashes within the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico (although Puerto Rico is not included in the national totals). Rural and urban boundaries are determined by the State highway departments and approved by the Federal Highway Administration. In 2009, there were 30,797 fatal crashes resulting in 33,808 fatalities. Rural areas accounted for 56 percent (17,245) of the fatal crashes and 57 percent (19,259) of the fatalities as compared to urban areas which accounted for 43 percent (13,350) of the fatal crashes and 42 percent (14,341) of the fatalities. Additionally, 202 fatal crashes resulting in 208 fatalities occurred in areas where land use was unknown. (Author/publisher)
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