Feds: U.S. Car-Related Deaths Soar After Years of Decline

CARS.COM — Deaths involving motor vehicles were up nearly 8 percent in 2015, according to early estimates from the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration. The increase was the first time since 2012 that motor vehicle deaths increased for the year.

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Experts are not sure why car-related deaths are increasing despite additional tech and safety advancements. In addition, the increase in deaths more than doubles the rate of increased miles driven - NHTSA estimates a 3.5-percent increase in 2015 over 2014. The trend saw the highest number of car-related deaths since 2008.

Where those deaths are occurring varies widely by NHTSA region. The number of deaths actually declined in 2015 in these Southern states (Region 6):

• Texas
• Oklahoma
• New Mexico
• Louisiana
• Mississippi

While you might suspect that more open roads mean fewer fatalities, the worst increase was found in Region 10, which saw deaths rise by 20 percent in 2015. The region includes:

• Alaska
• Washington
• Oregon
• Idaho
• Montana

Other regions, included states and rate of increase in 2015 are below:

• Region 1 (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut): +10%
• Region 2 (New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey): +4%
• Region 3 (Maryland, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina): +9%
• Region 4 (Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama): +14%
• Region 5 (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio): +9%
• Region 7 (Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska): +8%
• Region 8 (Colorado, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming): +7%
• Region 9 (California, Arizona, Hawaii): +6%

NHTSA said that its rough data also "reveals significant increases in motorcyclist and non-occupant (pedestrian and pedalcyclist) deaths" in 2015 versus 2014. Motorcyclists deaths were up 9 percent, pedestrian deaths up 10 percent and bike rider fatalities up 13 percent.

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