2 - Transportation and SafetyTable 2 Fatalities by Transportation Mode
2 - Transportation and Safety
The highest priority of the U.S. Department of Transportation is to promote safety. Although progress has been made in reducing fatalities, transportation remains the leading cause of accidental deaths and injuries in the United States. In 1999, about 95 percent of transportation fatalities and an even higher percentage of injuries occurred on the nation's roadways.
Table 2 Fatalities by Transportation Mode
| Mode | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 1995 | 1999 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large air carrier | 146 | 1 | 39 | 168 | 12 |
| Commuter air | N | 37 | 7 | 9 | 12 |
| On-demand air taxi | N | 105 | 51 | 52 | 38 |
| General aviation | 1,310 | 1,239 | 767 | 734 | 628 |
| Highwaya | 52,627 | 51,091 | 44,599 | 41,817 | 41,611 |
| Railroadb | 785 | 584 | 599 | 567 | 530 |
| Transitc | N | N | 339 | 274 | 299 |
| Commercial ship: Vessel casualties | 178 | 206 | 85 | 46 | 44 |
| Commercial ship: Nonvessel casualtiesd | 420 | 281 | 101 | 137 | 67 |
| Recreational boating | 1,418 | 1,360 | 865 | 829 | 734 |
| Gas and hazardous liquid pipeline | 30 | 19 | 9 | 21 | 21 |
a Includes occupants, nonoccupants, and motor vehicle fatalities at railroad crossings.
b Includes fatalities from nontrain incidents, as well as train incidents and accidents. Also includes train occupants and nonoccupants, except motor vehicle occupants at grade crossings.
c Fatalities resulting from all reportable incidents, not just accidents. Includes commuter rail, heavy rail, light rail, motor bus, demand responsive, van pool, and automated guideway.
d Fatalities unrelated to vessel accidents, e.g., individual falling overboard and drowning.
Key: N = data do not exist or are not cited because of reporting changes.
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, National Transportation Statistics 2000 (Washington, DC: In press), table 2-1.