2005 Motor Vehicle Crash Statistics

Highlights:

• From 2004 the fatality rate increased from 1.44 to 1.45 deaths per 100 million vehicles miles traveled (VMT), the first increase since 1986 - per population, the death rate increased from 14.59 to 14.66 deaths per 100,00o people - it's interesting to note that the death rate back in the late 70's hovered in the 3.25 area
  
• The injury rate decreased, however, from 94 injures per 100 million VMT in 2004 to 90 in 2005
  
• Motorcycle deaths increased for the 8th straight year - compared to 1997 an increase of 115% 2,437 more deaths
• Alcohol related deaths decreased by 0.2% to 16,885, the alcohol related death rate, however, remained unchanged - NOTE: Alcohol related deaths include those that are not legally intoxicated. That said, the vast majority of deaths had Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) equal to or above 0.08 g/dL (the legal level set by all States) accounting for 86% of all deaths.
  

http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/nrd-30/NCSA/PPT/2006/810639/810639.htm