FACT SHEET

Target Zero - Traffic Fatality Data

March 2008

Preliminary 2007 Traffic Fatality Data

The preliminary 2007 traffic fatality count is 567, compared to 2006’s comparable preliminary number of 625*, a 9% decrease. When all reports have arrived, WTSC expects the preliminary 2007 number to increase by 10-15, but the final number should remain well below the 2006 final number of 633. [WTSC]

In comparing 2007 traffic fatalities between January 2007 and September 2007 to the 2002-2006 five-year averages between January and September, we see the following decreases: [WTSC]

• Interstate and state highway-related fatalities decreased by 5% (from 223 to 212)
• County road and city street-related fatalities decreased by 16% (from 241 to 203)
• Motorcyclist deaths decreased by 8% (from 62 to 57)
• Motor vehicle-occupant deaths decreased by 11% (from 349 to 310)
• Nighttime fatalities decreased by 16% (from 243 to 204)
• August and September fatalities decreased by a total of 34% (from 128 to 85)
• Speed-related fatalities decreased by 18% (from 188 to 154)
• Impaired-Driver-Involved fatalities decreased by 22% (from 219 to 170)

*Preliminary 2006 and 2007 data as of 4/4/08

Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)

In order to improve traffic safety, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) created the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) in 1975. This data system was conceived, designed, and developed by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA) to assist the traffic safety community in identifying traffic safety problems and evaluating both motor vehicle safety standards and highway safety initiatives. FARS is one of the 2 major sources of data used at the NCSA. [NHTSA]

Fatality information derived from FARS includes motor vehicle traffic crashes that result in the death of an occupant of a vehicle or a non-motorist within 30 days of the crash.  NHTSA has a contract with an agency in each state to provide information on fatal crashes. FARS analysts are state employees who extract the information and put it in a standard format. Each FARS analyst attends a formal training program, and also receives on-the-job training. [NHTSA]

Data on fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes are gathered from the state's own source documents, and are coded on standard FARS forms. The analysts obtain the documents needed to complete the FARS forms, which generally include some or all of the following: [NHTSA]

• Police Accident Reports (PARS)
• State vehicle registration files
• State driver licensing files
• State Highway Department data
• Vital Statistics
• Death certificates
• Coroner/Medical examiner reports
• Hospital medical records
• Emergency medical service reports

To be included in FARS, a crash must involve a motor vehicle traveling on a traffic way customarily open to the public, and result in the death of a person (either an occupant of a vehicle or a non-motorist) within 30 days of the crash. The FARS file contains descriptions of each fatal crash reported. Each case has more than 100 coded data elements that characterize the crash, the vehicles, and the people involved. [NHTSA]

Target Zero

Target Zero, Washington’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan, was endorsed by Governor Gregoire in February 2007and then approved by the Federal Highway Administration. [WTSC]

Target Zero is based on the vision that even one traffic death is too many and that Washington can achieve zero traffic deaths and zero serious injuries by the year 2030. [Target Zero]

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act—A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) required all states and U.S. territories to develop a Strategic Highway Safety Plan and obtain approval by September 30, 2007. [Target Zero]

Almost 50 federal, state and local agencies plus Tribal Nations and private organizations collaboratively developed Target Zero. Lead Washington agencies included: [Target Zero]

• Department of Licensing
• Department of Heath
• Department of Transportation
• Washington State Patrol
• Washington Traffic Safety Commission

By prioritizing emphasis areas, Target Zero guides state investment decisions aimed at reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries. [Target Zero]

Analysis made it clear that agencies should prioritize emphasis areas according to fatality data. The resulting priority order was: [Target Zero]

1. Impaired driving and speed-related collisions;
2. Occupant protection, traffic data systems, run-off-road collisions and intersection collisions;
3. Distracted and drowsy drivers, young drivers, unlicensed drivers, pedestrian safety, motorcycle safety, commercial vehicle safety, head-on crashes and emergency medical services, and
4. Older drivers, aggressive drivers, bicycle safety, pupil transportation, vehicle-train crashes, work zone collisions, wildlife collisions and integrated interoperable communications.

Target Zero is a living document with meetings scheduled to review new data and continually update the plan. Strategies are reviewed and updated annually; goals are reviewed and updated every two years. [WTSC]

Definitions

Nighttime fatalities: A traffic fatality occurring between 6:00 P.M. and 5:59 A.M. [NHTSA]

Speed-Related Fatalities: A traffic fatality involving at least one driver identified by investigators as exceeding posted speed limit or driving to fast for conditions. [Target Zero]

Impaired-Driver-Involved Fatalities: A fatality involving at least one driver who was impaired at the time of the collision, determined by a blood alcohol content (BAC) greater than or equal to .08 and/or a positive drug test. [Target Zero]

Motor-vehicles: Includes passenger cars, light trucks, vans, SUV’s, utility vehicles, buses, motorhomes, and medium/heavy trucks.  Excludes ATV’s, snowmobiles, farm equipment, construction equipment, forklifts, and golf carts. [ANSI]

Motorcycles: Includes motorcycles, mopeds, off-road motorcycles, and three-wheeled motorcycles or mopeds.  [NHTSA]

ANSI  |  American National Standards Institute D-16
NHTSA | : National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
WTSC  |  Washington Traffic Safety Commission
Target Zero  |  WTSC: Washington Traffic Safety Commission