NTSB -- U.S. TRANSPORTATION FATALITIES ESTIMATED AT 34,925 IN 2010

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NTSB PRESS RELEASE

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National Transportation Safety Board

Washington, DC 20594

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 16, 2011

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U.S. TRANSPORTATION FATALITIES ESTIMATED AT 34,925 IN 2010

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Despite an overall downward trend in transportation

fatalities in the United States, estimates for 2010 released

by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) today

reveal a rise in several categories, including motorcycles,

medium and heavy trucks, buses, rail and pipeline. The

deadly natural gas pipeline accident in San Bruno,

California, that killed eight people and was investigated by

the NTSB, contributed to the rise in pipeline fatalities.

"Though the NTSB continues to advocate for changes to

address human factors, equipment, and infrastructure

improvements to prevent crashes, we continue to see far too

many deaths each year," said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P.

Hersman.

The data indicate that overall transportation fatalities

decreased to 34,925 in 2010 from 35,994 in 2009.

The total number of fatalities on U.S. roadways dropped by

about 1,000 (33,883 to 32,885) with the majority of vehicle-

related deaths involving passenger cars and light trucks and

vans. Motorcyle-related deaths saw the largest increase

(4,469 to 4,502), but deaths also rose for occupants in

medium and heavy trucks (499 to 529) and buses (26 to 44).

Rail fatalities increased from 742 to 813, with the majority

at grade crossings, though deaths on light, heavy and

commuter rail rose from 229 to 253.

The recreational boating segment of the marine industry saw

672 deaths in 2010 compared to 736 in 2009. Other marine

categories, including cargo transport (16 to 14), commercial

fishing (49 to 30), and commercial passenger vessels (13 to

17), saw smaller changes.

The majority of aviation deaths occurred in the general

aviation category (450), down from 478 in 2009. While

fatalities in commercial aviation (52 to 2) and

foreign/unregistered (4 to 3) dropped, air taxi deaths (17)

remained the same.

Pipeline fatalities increased by 9 (13 to 22) across both

categories - gas pipelines and liquid pipeline operations.

Aviation statistics are compiled by the NTSB. Marine numbers

are provided by the Department of Homeland Security and

numbers for all other modes by the Department of

Transportation.

A link to the statistical tables may be found here:

http://www.ntsb.gov/news/2011/data/2009_2010.pdf and

http://www.ntsb.gov/news/2011/data/Piechart_2010.pdf.

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Media Contact:

Bridget Ann Serchak

Bridget.serchak@xxxxxxxx

202-314-6100

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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an

independent federal agency charged with determining the

probable cause of transportation accidents, promoting

transportation safety, and assisting victims of

transportation accidents and their families.

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