Traffic deaths last year reached the highest level since 1990, propelled by an increase in motorcycle and pedestrian fatalities. And the overall fatality rate was up for the first time in 20 years.
Motorcyclists’ deaths rose for an eighth straight year, the government said. Nearly half the riders were not wearing helmets.
Some 43,443 people were killed on the highways last year, up 1.4 percent from 42,836 in 2004, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Tuesday. It was the highest number in a single year since 1990, when 44,599 people were killed.
The fatality rate grew slightly to 1.47 deaths per 100 million miles traveled, an increase from 1.45 in 2004. That was the first increase since 1986.
Said Acting Transportation Secretary Maria Cino: “Motorcyclists need to wear their helmets, drivers need to buckle up, and all motorists need to stay sober.â€
Fifty-five percent of the passenger vehicle occupants killed were not wearing seat belts.
The annual report said motorcycle fatalities rose 13 percent — to 4,553 in 2005.
‘One fatality is one too many’
Tim Buche, president of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, said the increase could not be linked to a single issue, citing the impairment and inattention of other drivers and motorcycle riders who drive impaired, untrained or without protective gear.
“One fatality is one too many, and we urge riders to take vital safety precautions,†Buche said. “We also ask that all roadway users expect to see motorcyclists on the road and respect their right to be there.â€
Several states have moved to repeal mandatory helmet laws in recent years, generating criticism from safety groups who say relaxed laws lead to more deaths and injuries. Motorcycle deaths have increased 115 percent since 1997.
Twenty states and the District of Columbia have laws requiring all motorcyclists to wear helmets, while 26 states require younger riders to wear them. Four states — Colorado, Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire — have no helmet law.
Little margin for error
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger brought attention to the issue in June when he broke his jaw and nose after colliding with a car on his motorcycle. Roethlisberger was not wearing a helmet.
Pat Hahn, a spokesman for the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center, said his state has seen a significant increase in deaths among riders in their mid-30s to mid-50s, who frequently get back on their bikes after years away to raise their families.
“They don’t really get into the attitude, the mind-set, that one little tiny mistake can cause huge problems that wouldn’t happen in a car,†Hahn said.
U.S. highway deaths increase in 2005
Motorcyclists’ deaths rose for an eighth straight year, the government said. Nearly half the riders were not wearing helmets.
Some 43,443 people were killed on the highways last year, up 1.4 percent from 42,836 in 2004, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Tuesday. It was the highest number in a single year since 1990, when 44,599 people were killed.
The fatality rate grew slightly to 1.47 deaths per 100 million miles traveled, an increase from 1.45 in 2004. That was the first increase since 1986.
Said Acting Transportation Secretary Maria Cino: “Motorcyclists need to wear their helmets, drivers need to buckle up, and all motorists need to stay sober.â€
Fifty-five percent of the passenger vehicle occupants killed were not wearing seat belts.
The annual report said motorcycle fatalities rose 13 percent — to 4,553 in 2005.
‘One fatality is one too many’
Tim Buche, president of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, said the increase could not be linked to a single issue, citing the impairment and inattention of other drivers and motorcycle riders who drive impaired, untrained or without protective gear.
“One fatality is one too many, and we urge riders to take vital safety precautions,†Buche said. “We also ask that all roadway users expect to see motorcyclists on the road and respect their right to be there.â€
Several states have moved to repeal mandatory helmet laws in recent years, generating criticism from safety groups who say relaxed laws lead to more deaths and injuries. Motorcycle deaths have increased 115 percent since 1997.
Twenty states and the District of Columbia have laws requiring all motorcyclists to wear helmets, while 26 states require younger riders to wear them. Four states — Colorado, Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire — have no helmet law.
Little margin for error
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger brought attention to the issue in June when he broke his jaw and nose after colliding with a car on his motorcycle. Roethlisberger was not wearing a helmet.
Pat Hahn, a spokesman for the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center, said his state has seen a significant increase in deaths among riders in their mid-30s to mid-50s, who frequently get back on their bikes after years away to raise their families.
“They don’t really get into the attitude, the mind-set, that one little tiny mistake can cause huge problems that wouldn’t happen in a car,†Hahn said.
U.S. highway deaths increase in 2005