National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration 2006 Reports
The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration issued their annual Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Fatality Counts and Estimates of People Injured in 2006 report.
Nationally, there were 42,642 people killed and 2,575,000 people injured in 2006, or 2.0% and 4.6% declines respectively from 2005. The number of people killed or injured in passenger vehicles declined for all types of vehicles, except SUVs which had a 1.6% increase. However, SUV’s also had the largest increase in the number of vehicle registrations at 7.1% over last year.
Deaths in rollover crashes also had a decline of 1.6% in total, but there was a 1.6% increase in rollover vehicle deaths in pickup trucks.
The percentage of deaths in passenger vehicles of occupants not using their seatbelts remained at a constant of 55% and includes all age groups. Of that 55% percent, 64% of the unbelted fatalities in automobile accidents occurred at night.
There were 17,602 fatalities involving a blood alcohol level > .08, virtually unchanged from the 17,590 in 2005. However, the number of non-occupants (pedestrians, other non-occupants) killed by impaired drivers jumped 8.6%.
There were increases and decreases when the fatalities were separated by age group:
| Age Group | % Change |
|---|---|
| <5 | -3.0% |
| 5-9 | -12.0% |
| 10-15 | -8.5% |
| 16-20 | -1.1% |
| 21-24 | +1.1% |
| 24-34 | +0.7% |
| 35-44 | -3.7% |
| 45-54 | +0.6% |
| 55-64 | -0.8% |
| 65+ | -7.9% |
| Unknown | +28.% |
The declines in the number of fatalities and injuries in passenger vehicles is in contrast to the increase in the estimated number of vehicle miles traveled (+0.2%), the number of registered vehicles (+2.5%) and the increase in the estimated population (+1.0%).
In Florida, there was a 4.1% drop in the number of people killed in motor vehicle accidents from 3,518 in 2005 down to 3,374 in 2006.
Source: National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration
Firm Highlights
Ms. Patricia Doherty has been recertified by The Florida Bar as a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney.
Staff Quarterly Party
The law firm of Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A. showed the staff how much their hard work and dedication is appreciated by hosting the quarterly party on September 21, 2007. In addition to the usual birthday announcements, refreshments and social hour, we held an indoor team competition of velcro darts, ball toss, and putting contest. The winning team took home gift cards to local retailers and restaurants.
If you need a Florida car accident lawyer, please call us now to set up a free consultation.