FHWA: Freight transportation fatalities decline

Mar 23, 2009

Despite increases in freight transportation activity, the number of fatalities has declined or remained stable in each mode, according to a report from the Federal Highway Administration.

The February report (.pdf file) outlines implications of freight transportation on safety, energy and the environment. Findings show in 2007 an estimated 41,058 fatalities occurred across all modes of transportation. Of that number, 4,006 fatalities (9.8 percent) resulted from highway crashes involving large trucks, while 802 (2 percent) were large-truck occupant fatalities. In 2006, an estimated 4,222 people died in crashes involving large trucks.

Additional data shows:

• Railroad incidents resulting in fatalities declined 6.2 percent to 851 fatalities in 2007.
• In 2007, about 2.49 million people were injured in highway crashes, about 8,960 were injured in railroad crashes, about 710 were injured in waterborne vessels and 62 people were injured in pipeline incidents.