Interactive Map Visualizes 10 Years of U.S. Traffic Fatalities – 58% Involved Alcohol, Distracted Driving or Speeding

NYC-based data scientist Max Galka has mapped out ten years worth of traffic fatality data (2004-2013) from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). The map contains 373,377 points each representing a person who was killed in a traffic crash over the past decade.

To view your neighborhood, work, school or other locations on the map, click on the image above to visit the interactive map’s website and input your address in the search bar

Viewers can also see which fatalities were reported to involve alcohol use, distracted driving or speeding.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, these three factors contribute to 58 percent of traffic fatalities. Galka said this was the most striking finding to him because it meant over half of these fatalities were potentially preventable.  Read more of Galka’s analysis here.

From afar, the map almost looks like a satellite image of the U.S. at night doted with bustling cities aglow.  As you zoom in, you find the clusters of light actually represent people who have been killed in traffic accidents. The interactive map plots out motorist (both driver and passenger), pedestrian, and bicyclist fatalities in all 50 states. Read the full StreetsBlog story here.

Below are screen shots of the state of Florida and Central Florida. The blue pin marks the location of Downtown Orlando.