Traffic fatalities in rural areas rose 2.3 percent from 2011 to 2012, from 17,769 to 18,170, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Nationwide, deadly accidents increased at a faster rate, 3.3 percent, the first rise in six years. However, most of the big state-by-state increases in deadly accidents were in states with large rural populations.
Fatalities in Vermont rose 40 percent, from 55 to 77. The next highest increase, 26 percent, was in Hawaii. In Maine, the state with the largest percentage of rural population, fatalities rose 21 percent, from 136 to 164. South Dakota and New Hampshire had increases of 20 percent, Nebraska 17 percent, North Dakota 15 percent, Delaware 15 percent and Idaho and Ohio 10 percent.
Some states with large rural populations, however, saw big drops. Fatalities in Alaska dropped by 18 percent, from 72 to 59. In Utah the number fell 11 percent, and in Wyoming it dropped 9 percent. Mississippi, which had the biggest change of any state with 48 fewer deaths, saw its fatalities drop 7.6 percent, from 630 to 582.
The biggest increase in road deaths was in Texas, where the number rose 11 percent. Deaths on federal highways, which are mostly in rural areas, rose 5.6 percent in 2012, with motorcycle deaths rising 9 percent. More than half of fatal accidents involved motorcycles or pedestrians. Alcohol-related deaths rose 4.6 percent.
Through the first six months of 2013, there were 15,470 fatalities on U.S. roads, down 4.2 percent from 16,150 from the year before. That is probably a good indicator for the whole year; 72 percent of fatalities in 2012 occurred during the first three months. State numbers for 2011 and 2012 are available by clicking here. Numbers for the first half of 2013 are available here.
Fatalities in Vermont rose 40 percent, from 55 to 77. The next highest increase, 26 percent, was in Hawaii. In Maine, the state with the largest percentage of rural population, fatalities rose 21 percent, from 136 to 164. South Dakota and New Hampshire had increases of 20 percent, Nebraska 17 percent, North Dakota 15 percent, Delaware 15 percent and Idaho and Ohio 10 percent.
Some states with large rural populations, however, saw big drops. Fatalities in Alaska dropped by 18 percent, from 72 to 59. In Utah the number fell 11 percent, and in Wyoming it dropped 9 percent. Mississippi, which had the biggest change of any state with 48 fewer deaths, saw its fatalities drop 7.6 percent, from 630 to 582.
Through the first six months of 2013, there were 15,470 fatalities on U.S. roads, down 4.2 percent from 16,150 from the year before. That is probably a good indicator for the whole year; 72 percent of fatalities in 2012 occurred during the first three months. State numbers for 2011 and 2012 are available by clicking here. Numbers for the first half of 2013 are available here.
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