Virginia Driving Trends 1998-2007

While both the number of registered vehicles and the number of licensed drivers in Virginia have climbed steadily between 1998 and 2007, the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled has remained roughly the same, at 1.22 in 1998 and 1.25 in 2007.

The number of traffic fatalities topped 1,000 persons for the first time in 2007, with a total of 1,026 deaths.

In 2006, motor vehicle accidents were the 12th most common cause of death in Virginia.

Alcohol-related crash statistics did not change significantly between 1998 and 2007, with 11,027 alcohol-related crashes and 336 fatalities in 1998, and 11,215 alcohol-related crashes and 378 fatalities in 2007. The number of alcohol-related crash injuries declined over the same period, from 8,555 injuries in 1998 to 7,130 in 2007.

Traffic crashes were slightly less frequent in 2007 compared to 2006, declining 4.14 percent. Crash-related injuries were also down 6.17 percent from 2006. However, the number of fatalities rose 6.76 percent.

The total estimated cost of motor vehicle crashes in Virginia has risen steadily over the last several years, from approximately $3,526 million in 2002 to $4,005.9 million in 2006.

There were 28,787 DUI convictions in Virginia in 2007, a 2.73 percent decrease from 2006.

Source: http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/pdf/vacrashfacts_07.pdf