The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a report that said 43,443 people were killed in traffic accidents in 2005. This is a 1.4% increase over 2004's death toll of 42,836. A staggering 2,669,000 people were injured in traffic accidents in 2005. An ABC News article reports that motorcycle deaths increased for the eigth year in a row.
"We have no tolerance for any numbers higher than zero," said Acting Transportation Secretary Maria Cino. "Motorcyclists need to wear their helmets, drivers need to buckle up, and all motorists need to stay sober."
The annual report found that motorcycle fatalities rose for the eighth straight year, growing 13 percent since 2004. The government said 4,553 motorcyclists died in 2005, compared with 4,028 in 2004. Nearly half of the people who died were not wearing helmets.
Pedestrian deaths increased from 4,675 in 2004 to 4,881 in 2005. NHTSA said it was investigating the increase to try to learn what led to the growth.
The NHTSA's complete 143 page PDF file, which is packed full of charts, data and graphcs, can be found here.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a report that said 43,443 people were killed in traffic accidents in 2005. This is a 1.4% increase over 2004's death toll of 42,836. A staggering 2,669,000 people were injured in traffic accidents in 2005. An ABC News 
