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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

  • Top Stories from KHQTop Stories

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 1:48 AM EDT2013-06-19 05:48:26 GMT
    Wednesday: Looks to be the wettest day of the week, with wide spread rain showers that will be heavy at times, add to that breezy winds to 15 mph...it is looking to be a blustery day!  55°/45°.
    Wednesday: Looks to be the wettest day of the week, with wide spread rain showers that will be heavy at times, add to that breezy winds to 15 mph...it is looking to be a blustery day!  55°/45°. The BAD news....Unsettled weather will continue through the week, the GOOD news, you don't have to water your lawn for a few days AND things are looking up just in time for "Iron Man" weekend!

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 1:47 AM EDT2013-06-19 05:47:29 GMT
    UPDATE: Tuesday night Northern Quest Casino & Resort posted on their Facebook page an update to the internal investigation they are conducting regarding Melanie Strandberg's resignation.
    UPDATE: Tuesday night Northern Quest Casino & Resort posted on their Facebook page an update to the internal investigation they are conducting regarding Melanie Strandberg's resignation. The report is inside this story:

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:15 AM EDT2013-06-19 04:15:14 GMT
    Firefighters with Spokane Valley were called out to a technical rescue Tuesday evening near north Pines Road & Mirabeau Parkway.
    Firefighters with Spokane Valley were called out to a technical rescue Tuesday evening near north Pines Road & Mirabeau Parkway. Firefighters tell KHQ that a man and a woman in their 20's were hiking in the area when the woman fell about 20 down a bank.
    •