On the National Scene --

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), vehicle crash deaths are up 1.5 percent in 2002 nationwide (the latest statistics available). Unfortunately, most of the occupants who died were not buckled up, according to statistics gathered by NHTSA. Last year, 42,815 people were killed on America’s roadways, up from 42,196 in 2001. This is the highest crash fatality level since 1990. Of these deaths, in both 2001 & 2002, 59 percent of occupants killed were not restrained. NHTSA says that the increase of vehicular deaths underscores the urgent need for stronger state seatbelt laws, stricter enforcement, and safer driving habits of motorists.

Alcohol-related deaths accounted for 41 percent of all crash fatalities with 17,419 deaths in 2002, up slightly from 17,400 in 2001. Alcohol-related fatalities have been steadily rising since 1999. However, deaths in low alcohol-level crashes fell 5.5 percent this past year.

Motorcycle deaths rose for the fifth year in a row, although the increase to 3,244 riders in 2002 from 3,197 in 2001 was the smallest in that period in the past five years.

There is some good news, however. Whereas fatalities rose over last year, crash-related injuries fell 3.5 percent to a record low of 2.92 million in 2002 from 3.03 million in 2001. Also, fatalities among children age seven and under dropped to historic lows. Last year, 968 children age seven and younger were killed in crashes, down from 1,059 in 2001. Fatalities also fell by 4.8 percent for children age three and under, and by 12 percent for children ages four to seven. However, fatalities rose for children ages 8-15 by 1.9 percent. Fatalities also increased from young drivers (ages 16-20) by 5.2 percent.

Pedestrian deaths fell by 1.9 percent to 4,808 last year.