Washington – A total of 1,351 people died in school transportation-related crashes between 2002 and 2011 – a yearly average of 135 fatalities – according to a new report (.pdf file) from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Researchers from NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis analyzed crash fatality data for occupants of any vehicle used to transport students to and from school or school-related activities, as well as occupants of other vehicles and pedestrians involved in these crashes. According to the report, between 2002 and 2011:
- 41 drivers of school transportation vehicles were killed – an average of four every year.
- 40 percent of the 123 school-aged pedestrians (younger than 19) killed in crashes were 5 to 7 years old.
- 72 percent of people killed in school transportation-related crashes were occupants of other vehicles.
