Transportation fatalities drop, but rail deaths rise

WASHINGTON – Transportation fatalities in the United States decreased by 3 percent in 2013 from 2012, according to preliminary figures released today by the National Transportation Safety Board.

Fatalities in all modes of transportation totaled 34,678 in 2013, compared with 35,796 in 2012. Deaths in marine, aviation, highway and pipeline transportation decreased, although there was a rise in rail deaths.

“While this decrease represents a good trend, much more work needs to done, because 35,000 deaths is very troubling,” said NTSB Acting Chairman Hart. “NTSB continues to address safety issues in all modes to reduce deaths and injuries on our roads, rails and waterways, as well as in our skies.”

The 2013 statistics show:

U.S. roadway deaths, which account for nearly 94 percent of all transportation deaths, decreased from 33,782 in 2012 to 32,719 in 2013. Fatalities on buses were up from 39 in 2012 to 48 in 2013.
Railroad deaths increased 6 percent from 840 to 891. The vast majority of these fatalities continue to be trespassers struck by trains.
Aviation deaths decreased from 451 to 443. Nearly 87 percent of aviation fatalities occurred in general aviation accidents (387), a decrease from the previous year (440). In 2013, air taxi fatalities increased significantly from nine in 2012 to 27.
Marine deaths also dropped in 2013, from 711 to 615. The vast majority of the fatalities, (560), occurred in recreational boating which also decreased.

Aviation statistics are tracked and compiled by the NTSB. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provides marine statistics, and the U.S. Department of Transportation provides statistics for all other modes.?

Statistical Tables

2012–2013 U.S. Transportation Fatalities
		2012	2013 (footnote1)
Highway:	Passenger cars	12,361	11,977
	Light trucks and vans	9,418	9,155
	Pedestrians	4,818	4,735
	Motorcycles	4,986	4,668
	Pedalcycles (footnote 2)	734	743
	Medium and heavy trucks	697	691
	Buses	39	48
	Other (footnote 3)	729	702
	Total, Highway	33,782	32,719

Grade Crossings: (footnote 4)		(230)	(231)

Rail:	Intercity (footnote 5) —
	Trespassers and nontrespassers (footnote 6)	490	520
	Employees and contractors	19	20
	Passengers	5	6
	Transit (footnote 7)—
	Light, heavy, and commuter rail	326	345
	Total, Rail	840	891

Marine:	Recreational boating	651	560
	Cargo transport	9	13
	Commercial fishing (footnote 8)	34	24
	Commercial passengers	17	18
	Total, Marine	711	615

Aviation:	General aviation	440	387
	Airlines	0	9
	Air taxi	9	27
	Commuter	0	6
	Foreign/unregistered (footnote 9)	2	14
	Total, Aviation	451	443

Pipeline:	Gas	9	9
	Liquids	3	1
	Total, Pipeline	12	10

	Total	35,796	34,678
¹ Numbers for 2013 are preliminary estimates. Aviation data are from the NTSB; marine data are from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; all other data are from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). ^₂ Includes bicycles or other cycles. ^₃ Includes vehicle non-occupants other than pedestrians and occupant fatalities in other vehicle types, such as farm or construction equipment. ⁴ Grade crossing fatalities are not counted as a separate category for determining the grand total because they are included in the highway and rail categories, as appropriate. ⁵ Data reported to Federal Rail Administration (FRA). ⁶ Includes persons on railroad property without permission (trespassers) and with permission, such as repair personnel (nontrespassers). Does not include motor vehicle occupants killed at grade crossings. ⁷ Data reported to Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Fatalities for commuter rail operations may also be reported to the FRA and may be included in the intercity railroad fatalities. ⁸ Refers to operational fatalities. ⁹ Includes non-U.S. registered aircraft involved in accidents in the United States.

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