Accidental Death Rate
The National Safety Council has announced the 1982 accidental death rate per 100,000 population was 40.4, down six percent from 1981 and the lowest rate on record.
Approximately 93,500 persons died accidentally in 1982, while the total in 1981 was 99,000. Disabling injuries were estimated to be 9 million, including about 340,000 persons who suffered some degree of permanent impairment. Last year 9.4 million Americans suffered disabling injuries. Falls caused about one third of the deaths; fires and burns about one fifth; all other types about one half. The National Safety Council said accident costs amounted to about $90.6 billion in 1982, vs. $87.4 billion in 1981. Included in these figures is a property loss in fires of about $7.5 billion.
