U.S. Transportation Deaths Decline

By Slack Davis Sanger | February 18, 2015

Transportation deaths in the United States dropped 3.1 percent from 2012 to 2013, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced recently. The total counts were 34,678 deaths in 2013 and 35,796 the year before.

The NTSB gathered its data from the Department of Transportation and Department of Homeland Security and broke down the statistics by category of transportation.

Roadway

32,719 deaths in 2013, down from 33,782 in 2012 (3.2 percent decrease)
In 2013, highway deaths made up 94.4 percent of total transportation deaths.
Deaths involving cars, light trucks, pedestrians, motorcycles and heavy trucks fell. Deaths related to buses and “pedalcycles” (such as bicycles) rose.

Rail

891 deaths in 2013, up from 840 in 2012 (6.1 percent increase)
In 2013, rail deaths made up 2.6 percent of total transportation deaths.
Deaths rose for all four types of rail: heavy, light, commuter and intercity.

Marine

615 deaths in 2013, down from 711 in 2012 (13.5 percent decrease)
In 2013, marine deaths made up 1.8 percent of the year’s total transportation deaths.
Deaths involving recreational boating and commercial fishing craft fell. Deaths related to commercial passenger craft and cargo transport rose.

Aviation

387 deaths in 2013, down from 440 in 2012 (12.1 percent decrease)
In 2013, aviation deaths made up 1.1 percent of total transportation deaths.
General aviation deaths fell. Deaths involving airlines, air taxi service and commuter aircraft rose.

Pipeline

10 deaths in 2013, down from 12 in 2012 (16.7 percent decrease)
In 2013, pipeline deaths made up 0.03 percent of total transportation deaths.
Deaths involving liquid fuels fell. Deaths involving gas held flat.

Christopher Hart, acting chairman of the NTSB, called the overall decline in deaths “a good trend” but said, “Much more work needs to be done, because 35,000 deaths is very troubling.” Read more statistics in NTSB’s recent report.

Slack Davis Sanger attorneys successfully represented hundreds of clients in lawsuits following transportation accidents. Our legal team analyzes each case and works with each individual to obtain the best results. Contact Slack Davis Sanger for information or advice.