NTSB Announces Slight Drop in 2013 Transportation Fatalities as Rail Deaths Rise
Acting Chairman Christopher Hart said transportation fatalities decreased by 3 percent that year.
According to figures
released by the National Transportation Safety Board, transportation fatalities in the United States decreased by 3 percent in 2013 from 2012. Fatalities in all modes of transportation totaled 34,678 in 2013, compared to 35,796 in 2012. Deaths in marine, aviation, highway, and pipeline transportation decreased, but there was a rise in rail deaths.
"While this decrease represents a good trend, much more work needs to done, because 35,000 deaths is very troubling," said NTSB Acting Chairman Christopher Hart. "NTSB continues to address safety issues in all modes to reduce deaths and injuries on our roads, rails, and waterways, as well as in our skies."
Other statistics in the announcement included:
- U.S. roadway deaths decreased from 33,782 in 2012 to 32,719 in 2013. Fatalities on buses were up from 39 in 2012 to 48 in 2013.
- Railroad deaths increased 6 percent from 840 to 891.
- Aviation deaths decreased from 451 to 443. Nearly 87 percent of aviation fatalities occurred in general aviation accidents (387).