Chapter 5. States

Fatal crash and fatality statistics for each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are presented in this chapter. Several tables display state fatality rates based on population, licensed drivers, and registered vehicles. The last four tables describe each state’s safety belt use laws, child passenger protection laws, motorcycle helmet use requirements, and impaired driving legislation. Below are some of the state statistics you will find in this chapter:

• Traffic fatalities decreased slightly (by 0.6 percent) from 2003 to 2004 for the nation as a whole. Twenty-two states showed increases, ranging from less than 1 percent to as much as 42 percent.
• The pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 population was 1.58 for the nation. New Mexico had the highest rate (2.94) and Nebraska had the lowest (0.52).
• About 1.7 percent of all traffic crash fatalities in 2004 were pedalcyclists. Rhode Island and Wyoming reported no pedalcyclists killed.
• In 2003, all states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, had safety belt use laws. All states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico also had laws requiring children of certain ages to be restrained in child safety seats.
• Motorcycle helmets were required for all riders in 20 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico in 2003. Twenty-seven states had helmet requirements with exceptions (age, rider type, roadway type), and three states did not require helmets at all.
• In 2003, it was a criminal offense to operate a motor vehicle at a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 g/dl or above in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.