Traffic Deaths Rise, Countering Trend

WASHINGTON — Traffic accidents killed 40,676 Americans last year, up from 40,115 in 1993 and the second consecutive year of increase, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday. Highway fatalities had been falling for several years.

While deaths were up, the number of miles driven also increased, keeping the highway death rate constant at 1.7 per million miles driven.

Dr. Ricardo Martinez, head of the NHTSA, is concerned that the problem may be a hard-core type of high-risk driver who is reckless, uses alcohol and doesn’t use safety belts. Martinez also expressed concern about proposals in Congress to eliminate such safety laws as the national speed limit, seat-belt requirements and motorcycle helmet laws.