Safety Council: Traffic Deaths Surged In 2012 - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

Safety Council: Traffic Deaths Surged In 2012

Posted: Updated:

WASHINGTON (AP) - Traffic fatalities surged 5 percent last year, according to an analysis of preliminary state data, putting an end to a seven-year decline in which the number of annual traffic deaths reached their lowest level in more than six decades.
    
The National Safety Council said Tuesday it estimates there were 36,200 motor vehicle fatalities in 2012.  That's up from 34,600 deaths the previous year. It's the first increase since 2004 to 2005.
    
The council estimates crash injuries requiring medical care also rose 5 percent last year to 3.9 million.
    
The council receives monthly fatality data from every state.
    
The council said more driving due to an improved economy and a mild winter may explain some of the increase, but the rate of deaths per 100,000 miles traveled also increased 4 percent.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

  • Most Popular StoriesMost Popular Stories

  • Sunday, June 16 2013 2:32 PM EDT2013-06-16 18:32:04 GMT
    SLIDESHOW: If you'd like to submit photos for the Father's Day 2013 Slideshow, just send them in .jpg format to pix@khq.com  
    SLIDESHOW: If you'd like to submit photos for the Father's Day 2013 Slideshow, just send them in .jpg format to pix@khq.com Happy Father's Day everyone!

  • Friday, June 14 2013 1:16 PM EDT2013-06-14 17:16:21 GMT
    SPOKANE, Wash. - The Spokane County Sheriff's Office and the Spokane Police Dept. responded to a fatal drive by shooting early Wednesday afternoon in the 7000 block of North Atlantic.
    SPOKANE, Wash. - Law enforcement now has in their possession the vehicle of the man they believe shot and killed Fabian McBride Wednesday in Spokane in the 7000 block of North Atlantic, just outside the Spokane city limits. When detectives located the vehicle the suspect, 19-year-old Issiah Schauman, was not inside so the search for him continues.

  • Monday, June 17 2013 12:11 PM EDT2013-06-17 16:11:11 GMT
    KHQ.COM - A five-year-old girl set up a lemonade stand "for peace" right across the street from a notorious church in Kansas which has been accused of spreading hate and homophobia wherever it goes.
    KHQ.COM - A five-year-old girl set up a lemonade stand "for peace" right across the street from a notorious church in Kansas which has been accused of spreading hate and homophobia wherever it goes.

  • Top Stories from KHQTop Stories

  • Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:37 AM EDT2013-06-18 05:37:11 GMT
    Deputies are investigating a high speed crash in the Peone Prairie area just south of Greenbluff.
    Deputies are investigating a high speed crash in the Peone Prairie area just south of Greenbluff.  Investigators say the 1998 dodge avenger was heading west on Peone Road at a high rate of speed and at some point the 18 year old driver, who had just left his home in Mead,  lost control, hit a power pole and rolled the car.

  • Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:32 AM EDT2013-06-18 05:32:21 GMT
    A 23-year-old man was sentenced in court today 11 months after he hit a 2-year-old girl with his car while drunk, and then fled the scene.
    A 23-year-old man was sentenced in court today 11 months after he hit a 2-year-old girl with his car while drunk, and then fled the scene. Timmy Nguyen was sentenced to 12 months in prison for vehicular assault, and ordered to pay over $37,000 in restitution to the family of the girl he hit. 

  • Monday, June 17 2013 10:34 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:34:28 GMT
    PASCO, Wash. - According to the Facebook page set up to help find her, missing Sandpoint woman Rashelle Klontz has been found and she is safe.
    PASCO, Wash. - According to the Facebook page set up to help find her, missing Sandpoint woman Rashelle Klontz has been found and she is safe.
    •