WASHINGTON, D.C. – More Americans were killed in traffic accidents in 2005 than in any year since 1990, according to a new National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report. Last year, 43,200 people were killed in accidents, up 1.3 percent over the 42,636 killed in 2004 — the highest number since 1990, when 44,559 people were killed, according to the Detroit News. NHTSA projected a fatality rate of 1.46 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, up from the record low of 1.44 in 2004. Other report highlights include:

• A decline in injuries from 2.79 million in 2004 to 2.68 million in 2005.
  

• Fifty-five percent of passenger vehicle occupants who died in 2005 were not wearing their seat belt.
  

• Motorcycle fatalities increased 7.7 percent in 2005.
  

• Pedestrian deaths increased slightly from 4,641 to 4,674.
  

• Alcohol-related fatalities increased 1.7 percent from 16,694 to 16,972.
  

• Passenger car fatalities dropped 1.8 percent.
  

• The number of light-truck occupants killed increased by 4.3 percent.