Spotlight on Highway Safety
In 2010, GHSA began producing a series of short reports spotilghting various highway safety issues. GHSA asks its State Highway Safety Office (SHSO) members to provide data and uses the data provided to put together these brief reports.
Motorcyclist Traffic Fatalities by State:
2010 Preliminary Data
Published April 2011
Learn More About Motorcycle Safety
Survey of the States Published 2008
In early 2011 GHSA asked states to provide their preliminary motorcyclist fatality counts for 2010. All 50 states and the District of Columbia responded. This report analyzes the data they provided.
Based upon preliminary data, GHSA projects that motorcycle fatalities declined at least 2 percent from 2009.
While the national decline is good news, there are some areas of concern, such as: a much smaller decline than the prior year; a 3 percent increase in fatalities in the third quarter; an expected rise in motorcycle travel; and a recent drop in motorcycle helmet use.
- Motorcyclist Traffic Fatalities by State: 2010 Preliminary Data
[454 KB, 12 pgs.] - News Release: New Study: Motorcycle Deaths Decline Slightly But Concerns Develop (April 19, 2011)
Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State:
2010 Preliminary Data
Published January 2011
GHSA asked states to report their preliminary fatality numbers for the first six months of 2010. All 50 states and the District of Colubmia responded to the survey.
The preliminary data showed that the number of pedestrian traffic fatalities in the United States for the first six months of 2010 was essentially unchanged from 2009, increasing just 0.4 percent. If the second six months of 2010 also show no significant change, this will be the first year of increase or no progress after four years of decline.
The report summarizes general principles states can use to keep pedestrians safe, such as prioritization, data analysis, engineering, laws and enforcement, and education.
- Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State: 2010 Preliminary Data [622 KB, 14 pgs.]
- News Release: New Study: Progress in Reducing Pedestrian Deaths Lags in 2010 (Jan. 20, 2011)
Motorcyclist Traffic Fatalities by State:
2009 Preliminary Data
Published April 2010
GHSA surveyed its members on their preliminary motorcyclist fatality counts for 2009. This report is an analysis of the responses received by all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The preliminary data showed that motorcyclist traffic fatalities in the United States fell in 2009, the first drop since 1997. The decrease for the full year nationwide is expected to be at least 10 percent.
States suggested several reasons for the decrease, including less motorcycle travel due to the economy, fewer beginning motorcyclists,
and increased attention to motorcycle safety programs in the states.
- Motorcyclist Traffic Fatalities by State: 2009 Preliminary Data [447 KB, 12 pgs.]
- News Release: New Study: Motorcycle Deaths Down Dramatically in 2009 (April 22, 2010)