NTSB Says - U.S. Transportation Fatalities Rose at Least 3 Percent in 1986

Oct 13, 2026

U.S. transportation accident deaths increased in 1986, rising at least three percent over 1985 according to the National Transportation Safety Board. The report highlights 48,601 total transportation deaths, up 2.7 percent from 47,329 the previous year, and notes highway fatalities as a major driver. It also provides category changes, including rises linked to pickup trucks and vans, and declines in areas such as aviation and large trucks.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

U.S. Transportation Fatalities

1986 Figures Show Increase

AComprehonsvoand ndOpondent New Summary for theLaw EnforcomontProfo8lonal Vol.21 No.20 NTSB Says... ## U.S.TRANSPORTATION FATALITIESROSE AT LEAST 3 PERCENT IN 1986 The number of peple who died in U.S.transportation accidents in 1986 rose at least threepercent over 1985,the National TransportationSafety Board(NTSB)announced on May 10. This rise occurred even with the omission offigures for rail rapid transit fatalities,which werenot available from the U.S.Department of Trans-portation.There were 48,601 deaths recorded lastyear in the U.S.transportation system—up 2.7percent from 47,329 in 1985. In releasing the statistics for National Trans-portation Week,which began on May 10,SafetyBoard Chairman Jim Burnett said"The increasein highway fatalities—resulting in 45,840 liveslost on the nation's highways last year—is acause for concern,since highway accidentsaccount for more than 93 percent of all transporta-tion deaths.” Preliminary data indicate a nearly five percentincrease in highway accident fatalities overall.The largest increase occurred in deaths relating tothe operation of pickup trucks and vans(10 per-cent),followed by passenger cars(seven percent)and pedalcycles(five percent)The greatest de-crease in highway fatalities came in deaths relatingto the operation of large trucks(five percent),followed by decreases in pedestrian and motorcycle deaths,both showing a one percent drop. Aviation showed a 35 percent decrease infatalities overall.This drop can be attributed tothe number of deaths involving the major airlines—declining from 526 in 1985 to four in 1986.The exceptionally large number of fatalilties in1985 were primarily a result of the Delta L-1011 (Continued on page two) May 18,1987 IN THIS ISSUE TRAFFIC DEATHS:1986 Figures Show Increase……1PORN CONVICTIONS:Phone Line Disconnected……2MARYLAND:Troopers Nailing Truckers… …3FDLE:Acclaimed As Best State Govemment Agency In Nation………… …3BJA:Plans Management Conference… …4SCOUT KILLED:Mistaken For Officer… …4FLORIDA:Debates Gun Control Bills…… …5JOE MeNAMARA:Has The NRA Flipped?. 7JOB LISTINGS… …8CRIME LINE… … …8PITTSBURGH:First Black Chief Quits… …9DWI:Traffic Institute Schedules Conference… …9DALLAS:Crime Rally Was Scene OfCrime… …10HANDGUNNERS:Need A Patron Saint?… …10 ## HOMICIDE COURSE PLANNED The Southem Police Institute in Louisville,Ky.,willconduct aHomicide Investigation Course from June8-19,and an Investigation of Sex Crimes Course from June 22- 26.Tuition for the Homicide Course iss500.For the SexCrimesCourse it iss300.Housing is availableoncampus.For more information,please contact Shirley Bec,Pro-gram Assistant,Southern Police Institute,University ofLouisville,Louisville,KY 40292.Phone:502-588-6561. CRIME CONTROL DIGEST windshear accident in Dallas in August 1985 andthe Arrow Airlines military charter in Gander inDecember.Fatalities for commuters and air taxisfell by almost 40 percent The number of deathsin general aviation—958—remained virtuallyunchanged despite the inclusion of 82 fatalities inthe August 1986 collision of a foreign-flag airlinerwith a general aviation aircraft over Cerritos,Calif. Fatalities related to pipeline accidents de-clined 16 percent—from 31 to 26. Grade crossing fatalities increased nearly sixpercent—from 582 to 616. Fatalities in maritime accidents decreasedalmost 11 percent—from 1,374 to 1,229. The preliminary 1986 transportation fatalitystatistics are detailed below. U.S.TRANSPORTATION FATALITIES 1985 1986 Highwayb Passenger cars 23,19224.772 Pedstrians 6,8006,719 Pickup trucks and vans 5,7636,341 Large trucks 965 919 Motorcyckes 4.5704,531 Pedalcycles 890 937 All other 43,7955.820 Total (582)e(616)e Grade Crossings Railroad Intercityd: Passengers Employees on duty Pedestrians&others Rail Rapid Transit Passengers Employees on duty

FAQs

How much did U.S. transportation fatalities increase in 1986 compared with 1985?

They rose at least three percent in 1986 versus 1985.

What was the total number of U.S. transportation deaths recorded in 1986?

The report states 48,601 deaths were recorded in 1986.

Which area showed a major decline in fatalities overall?

Aviation fatalities are reported to have decreased by 35 percent overall.

Oct 13, 2026

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