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JUNE 2011: LOWEST MONTHS FOR TRAFFIC CRASH DEATHS

Traffic deaths in 2010 were the lowest since 1974. So far this year there have been nine fewer deaths through the end of May compared to last year. There were 74 deaths in 2010 through May and this year there have been 65 deaths through May. This year’s totals were helped by a record low for May with only 10 deaths. This edition of the Highway Safety Hot Topic will compare deaths by month since January 1972.

Previous Hot Topics

Previous Hot Topics are available below in PDF.

June 2010: Are Utah Drivers the Worst Drivers in the U.S.?
January 2010: Legislation
November 2009: Inclement Weather
October 2009: Distracted Driving
September 2009: Motorcycles

May

Over the last 40 years May averages 26 deaths a month. May 2011 had 10 deaths which was the lowest total of the last 40 years. The previous low for May was 14 deaths in 2006. The highest number of deaths in May occurred in 1985 and 1999 with 37 deaths. See page 2 for a list of deaths in May by month.

 

Lowest Months in the Last 40 Years

Only 12 months over the last 40 years had a lower total of deaths than May 2011. All of the months with lower totals were winter months (January, February, and March). February 1974 had the lowest amount of deaths in one month with 3 deaths. February 2011 had 7 deaths which was the fourth lowest total following only February 1974, January 1974, and January 2010. See page 3 for a list of the lowest months for deaths.

 

Highest Months in the Last 40 Years

The 65 deaths through May this year is incredible when you compare it to July 1978. This month had 58 deaths slightly lower that the first five months of this year combined. Eight of the top 20 highest months occurred in the 1970’s, with four months in the 1980’s, six months in the 1990’s, and two months in the 2000’s. See page 4 for a list of the highest months for deaths.

 

Conclusion

Traffic deaths continue to be on the decline. The last two years have seen four of the lowest 13 months for deaths in the last 40 years. While the 10 deaths in May 2011 is a record low for May there is still room for improvement towards the goal of zero fatalities.