New Data Show Traffic Deaths Up Nationally, Down Slightly In Texas

AUSTIN, TX -- Traffic deaths across the United States from 2014 to 2015 rose by a 7.2 percent, but dropped slightly in Texas -- although the state still leads the nation in sheer number of fatalities.

Texas saw a near-negligible decrease in total traffic fatalities and a greater decrease for those in which alcohol consumption was a contributing factor. From 2014 to 2015, there were 20 fewer overall traffic fatalities in Texas, a 0.06 percent drop. In terms of alcohol-related traffic deaths, there were 123 fewer last year -- from 1,446 in 2014 to 1,323.

The figures are drawn from Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data. Across the U.S., there was a 7.2 percent increase in traffic fatalities from 2014 to 2015 -- the largest jump in nearly 50 years. Statisticians attribute the increase to job growth and lower gas price, factors resulting in bolstered traffic.

All told, 35,092 people died from crashes on U.S. roadways last year -- up from 32,744 two years ago, according to the newly released data. While Texas has posted some drops, the sharp increase in traffic fatalities nationwide put the brakes on what had been a downward trend historically. Since 2005, the number of roadway deaths decreased each year except for 2012 when there was a small increase.

The last time fatalities jumped by so many percentage points was from 1965-66, according to the report.

Overall in Texas, there were 12.8 traffic fatalities per 100,000 population last year. That ranks Texas 23rd in the country, ahead of Indiana with 12.4 deaths per capita and Nebraska with 12.97.

While making allowances for population proportionately, the deadliest state for traffic fatalities last year was Wyoming, with 24.74 per 100,000 population. Rhode Island was the relatively safest state, ranked 50th with 4.26 traffic fatalities per 100,000 population.

But in terms of sheer numbers, Texas had the greatest number of deaths overall. A grim distinction to be sure, but Texas is the largest state other than Alaska. The Lone Star State encompasses 268,596 square miles, less than half the size of Alaska and exponentially larger than many other states -- many of which could fit inside Texas with room left over.

Still, the carnage was substantial in Texas. Only California comes close to Texas, with 3,102 traffic deaths in 2014 compared to Texas' 3,526. Last year, California recorded 3,176 traffic deaths to Texas 3,516.

Find detailed information about Texas traffic fatalities and county-by-county figures on the NHTSA website

Nationally, the data also found that from 2014 to 2015:

• Traffic deaths resulting from drivers who were under the influence of alcohol increased by 3.2 percent, from 9,943 to 10,265.
• Traffic deaths involving a distracted driver — someone texting, eating or otherwise not paying full attention to the road — increased by 8.8 percent, from 3,197 to 3,477.
• Fatal crashes increased across every type of vehicle except for drivers of large trucks.
• The number of miles people traveled in a vehicle increased by 3.5 percent, 3,026 billion to 3,131 billion, the largest percentage increase since 1992.
• The number of people injured in traffic accidents increased by 105,000 to more 2.4 million.

At the state level, the largest percentage increase in roadway deaths came in Vermont, where 57 people died in 2015, compared to 44 in 2014, a 29.5 percent increase. The largest percentage reduction in traffic deaths came in New Mexico, where 298 people were killed in 2015 versus 386 in 2014, a 22.8 percent drop. Only 15 states had fewer traffic deaths in 2015 than they did in 2014.

You can read the full 2015 traffic fatalities report for yourself here.

2015 Traffic Fatalities Per 100,000 Population

National - 10.92

1. Wyoming 24.74
2. Mississippi 22.62
3. Montana 21.69
4. South Carolina 19.95
5. Arkansas 17.83
6. Alabama 17.47
7. North Dakota 17.31
8. Kentucky 17.2
9. Oklahoma 16.44
10. Louisiana 15.54
11. South Dakota 15.49
12. West Virginia 14.54
13. Tennessee 14.51
14. Florida 14.5
15. New Mexico 14.29
16. Missouri 14.28
17. Georgia 14
18. North Carolina 13.73
19. Delaware 13.32
20. Arizona 13.08
21. Idaho 13.05
22. Nebraska 12.97
23. Texas 12.8
24. Indiana 12.4
25. Kansas 12.19
26. Nevada 11.24
27. Oregon 11.09
28. Iowa 10.24
29. Colorado 10.01
30. Maine 9.85
31. Wisconsin 9.81
32. Michigan 9.71
33. Ohio 9.56
34. Pennsylvania 9.37
35. Utah 9.21
36. Vermont 9.1
37. Virginia 8.98
38. Alaska 8.8
39. New Hampshire 8.57
40. Maryland 8.54
41. California 8.11
42. Washington 7.92
43. Illinois 7.76
44. Minnesota 7.49
45. Connecticut 7.41
46. Hawaii 6.57
47. New Jersey 6.27
48. New York 5.66
49. Massachusetts 4.5
50. Rhode Island 4.26

>>> Image via Shutterstock