The Puget Sound Business Journal reported today that Washington State experienced fewer fatalities on its roadways in 2009.
The number of traffic fatalities fell to 492 last year from 521 a year earlier.
Increased use of seat belts and campaigns against drunk driving are being credited for the drop.
But unlike the rest of the nation, the number of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities increased by 13 percent last year in Washington, with 206 alcohol-impaired driving deaths in 2009, compared with 183 in 2008. Nationally, there was a 7.4 percent drop in alcohol-impaired driving deaths.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today released updated 2009 fatality and injury data showing that highway deaths fell to 33,808 for the year, the lowest number since 1950. The record-breaking decline in traffic fatalities occurred even while estimated vehicle miles traveled in 2009 increased by 0.2 percent over 2008 levels.
In addition, 2009 saw the lowest fatality and injury rates ever recorded: 1.13 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2009, compared to 1.26 deaths for 2008.
According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study based on 2006 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) data, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for those between the ages of 3 and 34.
In addition to the record-breaking drop in fatalities, the number of people injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2009 declined for a 10th straight year in a row, falling an estimated 5.5 percent from 2008, according to NHTSA data released today.
Alcohol impaired driving fatalities declined by 7.4 percent in 2009 – 10,839 compared to 11,711 reported in 2008. Overall, 33 states and Puerto Rico experienced a decline in the number of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2009 compared to 2008.
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