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August 23, 2006

HIGHWAY CRASH DEATH RATES UP, ROLLOVERS A FACTOR

NHTSA has released its Fatal Analysis Reporting System data comparing death rates in 2005 with those in 2005. They show a 1.4 percent increase over the two years – from 42,836 to 43,443 – with rollover, motorcycle and pedestrian deaths as the chief contributors to the upward change.

NHTSA’s press release highlighted the role of motorcycle and pedestrian deaths in the annual increase, but gives scant attention to the role of rollovers – a curious omission in light of the controversy over NHTSA’s current proposal to “upgrade” its roof crush standard, FMVSS 216. The proposed “upgrade” has been sharply criticized by safety advocates as being far weaker than necessary or technologically reasonable. (See stories in past “Current Developments Archives”.) A Washington Post article covering the NHTSA data release said, “Occupant deaths overall, which do not include motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians, declined 1.4 percent to 31,415 in 2005. But occupant deaths in rollover crashes increased by 226, or 2.1 percent, to 10,816.

Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, pointed to the increase in fatalities as support for his call for the agency to impose stronger vehicle roof-crush standards. He told the Washington Post that the current proposal is ‘woefully inadequate’ because it is forecast to save 44 lives per year. Congress has mandated the agency impose a new roof-crush standard by 2008.” Subsequently the Center posted a detailed statement on the Center for Auto Safety website.

Meanwhile, two safety advocates succeeded in having NHTSA place their analysis of deficiencies in the agency’s rollover-roof crush standards in the public docket. “Deadly By Design,” by Paula Lawlor and Todd Tracy, is a 19-page summary of documents and data offered in support of its contentions, with a cover letter urging NHTSA action to remedy the regulatory failings that “Deadly By Design” concludes have led to needless deaths and severe injuries in rollovers of SUVs, pickup trucks, vans and other passenger vehicles.

Posted by MVHAP at August 23, 2006 09:54 PM