16 States See Decline in Traffic Deaths

January 2007

Even though the data is still preliminary, 16 states are showing a decline of at least 5% in traffic fatalities. Safety officials are attributing the initial decline to new laws, increased police enforcement, and education campaigns about safer driving.

The states with the largest declines in traffic fatalities for 2005-2006 are:

• New Hampshire - 23.5% decline
• Minnesota - 15% decline
• Missouri - 14.6% decline
• Washington, D.C. - 12.2% decline
• Colorado - 12% decline
• Wisconsin - 10.9% decline
• Louisiana - 10.7% decline
• North Dakota - 9.8% decline
• Kentucky - 8.1% decline
• Florida - 7.9% decline

The reduction in driving fatalities in these states is also attributed to stricter drunk-driving laws, police checkpoints, improved highway design, and graduated license and other programs targeting young drivers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will release the final tallies in the fall, but the numbers are not likely to show major changes from 2005. Since 1995, the annual fatality total has ranged anywhere between 41,000 and 43,000.

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