Traffic Deaths on Rise in Maryland

Traffic deaths in Maryland increased in 2012, according to a recent report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

There were 505 traffic fatalities in Maryland in 2012, up from 485 in 2011. That represents a 4 percent increase. Of those fatalities, 160 were alcohol-impaired, up one from 161 the year before.

Highway fatalities also increased nationwide in 2012, from 32,479 to 33,561. The majority of the increase in deaths (72 percent) occurred in the first quarter of the year, and most of those involved were motorcyclists and pedestrians.

While the newly released data marks the first increase since 2005, highway deaths over the past five years continue to remain at historic lows. Early estimates on crash fatalities for the first half of 2013 indicate a decrease in deaths compared to the same timeframe in 2012.

"As a public health and safety agency, any increase in the number of deaths is cause for concern. While we're seeing some unfortunate trends, we're also seeing progress in some parts of the country," NHTSA Administrator David L. Strickland said in a press release. "We will continue to work closely with our federal, state and local partners to change the way motorists behave on our roadways and build public awareness of key issues that have the potential to save many lives."

Other key 2012 statistics include:

• Fatalities among pedestrians increased for the third consecutive year (6.4 percent increase over 2011). The data showed the large majority of pedestrian deaths occurred in urban areas, at non-intersections, at night and many involved alcohol.
• Motorcycle rider fatalities increased for the third consecutive year (7.1 percent increase over 2011). Ten times as many riders died not wearing a helmet in states without a universal helmet law than in states with such laws.
• Large-truck occupant fatalities increased for the third consecutive year (8.9 percent over 2011).
• Deaths in crashes involving drunk drivers increased 4.6 percent in 2012, taking 10,322 lives compared to 9,865 in 2011. The majority of those crashes involved drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15 or higher – nearly double the legal limit.
• The number of people killed in distraction-affected crashes decreased slightly from 3,360 in 2011 to 3,328, while an estimated 421,000 people were injured, a 9 percent increase from the estimated 387,000 people injured in 2011.
• Nighttime seat belt use continues to be a challenge. In nighttime crashes in 2012, almost two-thirds of the people that died were unrestrained.

Download the full NHTSA report as a PDF.