Transportation Accidents Take 44,870 Lives in 2004

I am appalled each time I see reports like this one. So many of these tragic deaths result from disrespect of rules and laws, lack of common sense and common courtesy, and, among other things, the courts allowing people to drive who simply should not be doing so. Just this past week I heard a news report of a young guy who split his Ferrari in two killing himself and two other people in the car he hit. This fellow had, if I recall correctly, 40 some traffic offenses on his record. Here's the latest on transportation deaths as reported by the National Transportation Safety Board and reported by J.J. Keller


Fatalities from transportation accidents decrease slightly in 2004

Transportation fatalities in the United States decreased slightly in 2004, according to preliminary figures released today by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Deaths from transportation accidents in the United States in 2004 totaled 44,870, down from the 45,158 fatalities in 2003. Although it is always gratifying to see transportation fatalities decline, NTSB Acting Chairman Mark Rosenker said, the yearly toll, especially on our highways, continues to be unacceptable. We need to do more at all levels - federal, state, and local - to protect our traveling public.
Highway transportation, which accounts for the largest portion of fatalities, decreased from 42,884 in 2003 to 42,636 in 2004. The number of fatalities increased in the motorcycle; light trucks and van; and, medium and heavy trucks categories. However, there was a decrease in the number of deaths occurring in the passenger car category, which recorded 634 fewer fatalities in 2004 than in 2003.
The number of persons killed in all aviation accidents dropped from 710 in 2003 to 651 in 2004. There were no fatalities on commuter carriers in 2004. The number of general aviation fatalities also decreased from 632 in 2003 to 556 in 2004. There were 14 airline fatalities, 13 of which occurred in a crash of one aircraft in Kirksville, Mo. Air taxi fatalities increased from 42 to 65.
Total rail fatalities increased from 760 in 2003 to 802 in 2004, reflecting a rise in every category except passenger fatalities, which remain