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Traffic Deaths Surge Upwards

Aired April 24, 2003 - 15:36   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Officials say it is a disturbing upward trend. Traffic accidents in the United States killed 42,850 people last year. Now that is the highest traffic toll since 1990.
There were more motorcycle deaths, more alcohol related deaths and more SUV and pickup truck rollover fatalities.

CNN's Bob Franken is at a busy intersection in Fairfax County, Virginia. Bob, I think these numbers may come as a surprise to people who think more people are using seat belts and therefore, maybe there were going to be fewer fatalities.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, one of the contributing factors to the increase, according to highway officials, Judy, is the fact that fewer people are using seat belts.

They're really concerned, they're really frustrated, those who are responsible for highway safety in the United States. Of course, it's become such a cliche that you should drive carefully, the life you save might be your own. We've all heard it. Regrettably, the message is not taking.

And there is this uptick, as you pointed out, the use of SUVs and minivans is something that officials believe contributes, although the industry would probably argue against that. But the rollover factor apparently is something that the officials believe contributes.

As I pointed out, the use of safety belts or the lack thereof has been a factor. The use of alcohol, of course. Even though there are tough laws now about drunk driving, apparently, alcohol-related deaths are up and that has been one of the contributing factors, bringing cries for even tougher laws.

Another interesting one is the motorcycles. Motorcycle deaths are up, but not with the younger users. The older users of the motorcycles, who -- how shall we say it -- don't have the reflexes they used to have, and that has had tragic results.

All of that has meant that over 42,000 people have lost their lives on the nation's highways. And highway officials are extremely frustrated, saying any other circumstance that would create more than 42,000 deaths a year would be considered a catastrophe.

Here in the United States, when it's on the highway, it's considered just a normal year. But it's getting more tragic and they say something has to be done -- Judy. WOODRUFF: Bob, are they saying anything different to people about how they're driving, or is it pretty much repeating the same warnings as you pointed out, that we've been hearing for years.

FRANKEN: Well, it depends on who you talk to. Some people say they have to tighten the laws. Others advocate reducing speed limits again. You know, of course, there was an extended period of time where it was 55 miles an hour. That, of course, has changed over much of the United States and many people say it has to go back down. The faster you drive, the more dangerous it is.

WOODRUFF: All right. Bob Franken reporting for us from Fairfax County, Virginia, at a very busy traffic intersection. Let's hope that these warnings have some impact and people think when they get behind the wheel.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired April 24, 2003 - 15:36   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Officials say it is a disturbing upward trend. Traffic accidents in the United States killed 42,850 people last year. Now that is the highest traffic toll since 1990.
There were more motorcycle deaths, more alcohol related deaths and more SUV and pickup truck rollover fatalities.

CNN's Bob Franken is at a busy intersection in Fairfax County, Virginia. Bob, I think these numbers may come as a surprise to people who think more people are using seat belts and therefore, maybe there were going to be fewer fatalities.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, one of the contributing factors to the increase, according to highway officials, Judy, is the fact that fewer people are using seat belts.

They're really concerned, they're really frustrated, those who are responsible for highway safety in the United States. Of course, it's become such a cliche that you should drive carefully, the life you save might be your own. We've all heard it. Regrettably, the message is not taking.

And there is this uptick, as you pointed out, the use of SUVs and minivans is something that officials believe contributes, although the industry would probably argue against that. But the rollover factor apparently is something that the officials believe contributes.

As I pointed out, the use of safety belts or the lack thereof has been a factor. The use of alcohol, of course. Even though there are tough laws now about drunk driving, apparently, alcohol-related deaths are up and that has been one of the contributing factors, bringing cries for even tougher laws.

Another interesting one is the motorcycles. Motorcycle deaths are up, but not with the younger users. The older users of the motorcycles, who -- how shall we say it -- don't have the reflexes they used to have, and that has had tragic results.

All of that has meant that over 42,000 people have lost their lives on the nation's highways. And highway officials are extremely frustrated, saying any other circumstance that would create more than 42,000 deaths a year would be considered a catastrophe.

Here in the United States, when it's on the highway, it's considered just a normal year. But it's getting more tragic and they say something has to be done -- Judy. WOODRUFF: Bob, are they saying anything different to people about how they're driving, or is it pretty much repeating the same warnings as you pointed out, that we've been hearing for years.

FRANKEN: Well, it depends on who you talk to. Some people say they have to tighten the laws. Others advocate reducing speed limits again. You know, of course, there was an extended period of time where it was 55 miles an hour. That, of course, has changed over much of the United States and many people say it has to go back down. The faster you drive, the more dangerous it is.

WOODRUFF: All right. Bob Franken reporting for us from Fairfax County, Virginia, at a very busy traffic intersection. Let's hope that these warnings have some impact and people think when they get behind the wheel.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com