Transportation fatalities up slightly in 2002

Transportation fatalities in the United States increased by 129 in 2002 to 45,098 with highway deaths accounting for virtually all of the total, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Rail fatalities increased slightly to 603, reflecting a rise in pedestrians being struck by trains, said the NTSB. Seven rail passengers were killed last year. The number of people killed in aviation accidents dropped by nearly half from 2001 numbers because there were no major airline crashes last year. Highway fatalities, which were reported by the Transportation Department earlier this year, totaled 42,815. Traffic deaths accounted for 94% of all transportation deaths last year, reported Reuters.