The number of people who died in transportation accidents in the United States dropped 1.7% in 1998, according to a report released Sept. 9 by the National Transportation Safety Board.
According to preliminary figures, deaths from transportation accidents in the U.S. in 1998 totaled 43,920. The overall number, derived from all modes of transportation, showed a decline from the 1997 total of 44,659 fatalities.
Highway fatalities, accounting for more than 94% of the transportation deaths in 1998, dropped 1.3% to 41,480 from 42,013. The number of fatalities decreased in most highway vehicle categories; however, 503 more highway deaths occurred in the category of light trucks and vans in 1998 than in 1997, NTSB reported.
"The overall drop in transportation fatalities is encouraging, however, we cannot stop there," NTSB Chairman Jim Hall said. "Highway fatalities continue to account for most transportation fatalities. Transportation safety in all modes is of utmost importance, and the safety board will continue to make recommendations and push initiatives that will decrease transportation-related deaths."
Fatalities involving rail transportation rose from 749 in 1997 to 831, with the majority being people walking along or crossings tracks, according to the agency.
