2005 traffic fatalities were up in Missouri and across the U.S.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released the national highway fatality and injury figures for 2005.

Trends are not good for the nation or for Missouri. The rate of motor vehicle injuries and fatalities has been steeply declining since the late 1970s. But in recent years these declines have leveled off.

In 2005, for the first time since 1990, the rate of fatalities per vehicle mile traveled actually increased. And the proportion of occupants vs non-occupants has shifted significantly. In 2005 the number of motor vehicle occupants killed actually decreased. But the increase in the number of motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists killed more than made up the difference.

The number of pedestrians killed increased from 4675 in 2004 to 4881 in 2005--a 4.4% increase.

The number of bicyclists killed increased from 727 to 784--a 7.8% increase. The number of bicyclists injured increased by about 10%.

Total people killed in motor vehicle crashes in Missouri went from 1130 to 1257, an 11% increase. This increase was among the highest of all states.

Missouri pedestrian fatality totals for 2001-2005 were 83, 87, 78, 81, and 88. In 2005 this represented 7% of all traffic fatalities in Missouri.

Missouri bicycle fatality totals for 2001-2005 were 6, 16, 9, 3, and 8. In 2005 this represented 0.6% of all traffic fatalities in Missouri.

Nationwide, bicyclists represented 1.8% of all traffic fatalities in 2005. This is a strong indication that the amount of bicycling in Missouri is 1/3 (or more likely, far less than 1/3, perhaps about 1/10) the national average.

What lessons can be learned?

* 36% of fatal pedestrian collisions involve a pedestrian who has been drinking
* 27% of fatal bicycle collisions involve a bicyclist who has been drinking. Don't drink and bicycle!
* Pedestrian fatalities increased for all age groups except ages 4-15. This probably means that this age group is continuing an ongoing trend of less active lifestyle and less walking.
* Bicycle fatalities increased by far the most--78%--among people 21-24 (and also ages 25-34, which increased by 25%). This may represent an increasing choice by people in this age group, fueled by economic and lifestyle considerations, to use bicycling for transportation. Bicycle safety education campaigns targeted at this age group could make a big difference.

The trends in the data--towards lower fatalities for those inside automobiles but higher fatalities for those outside, mostly pedestrians and bicyclists--points up a conclusion made by other studies: vehicle design makes people feel safer, which unfortunately makes them act more dangerously.

Because the motorist is protected by seat belts, airbags, vehicle bodies designed to absorb impact, and other safety features, the people inside the car are insulated from this more dangerous behavior.

But those outside the car--bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists--take the brunt of it.

According to the Autopia blog (Wired):

[Insurance Institute for Highway Safety] president Adrian Lund says that during the 1990s driving got more dangerous because of lack of interest in DWI laws, raising of speed limits, and enforcement of safety belt rules. . . . But safer vehicle designs have offset the bad driving, saving an estimated 5,200 lives in 2004 alone.