Transportation fatalities in the United States declined in 2011 by approximately 2%, according to preliminary figures released by the National Transportation Safety Board. The data indicates that overall transportation fatalities decreased from 35,043 in 2010 to 34,434 in 2011.


There were no airline fatalities in 2011.

"Transportation accidents remain one of the nation's leading causes of death," said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. "We can do better, which is why the NTSB shines a light on key safety issues each year through the Most Wanted List of transportation safety improvements."

The 2011 statistics show:

- The number of fatalities on U.S. roadways decreased slightly from 32,999 to 32,367 in 2011. The majority of these deaths involved passenger cars, light trucks, and vans.
- The total number of deaths in aviation increased from 476 to 494 in 2011, with about 90% involving fatalities in general aviation. Although general aviation fatalities account for the majority (444) within aviation for 2011, this number decreased by 10 from the previous year. In 2011, air taxi fatalities rose from 17 in 2010 to 41.
-Deaths on our nation's waterways rose in 2011 from 723 to 800. Recreational boating continues to account for nearly all marine fatalities, increasing from 672 to 758.

Aviation statistics are tracked and compiled by the NTSB. Marine statistics are provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and statistics for all other modes are provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation.