Auto Rental News
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Transportation Accidents Most Common Work Fatality

Work deaths climbed 7% in 2016, and transportation incidents accounted for 40% of those fatalities, according to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

by Staff
December 29, 2017
Transportation Accidents Most Common Work Fatality

Photo of car crash by CGP Grey via Wikimedia Commons.

2 min to read


Photo of car crash by CGP Grey via Wikimedia Commons.

Fatal work injuries reached 5,190 in 2016, representing a 7% increase from the previous year, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

2016 saw the third consecutive annual jump in fatal work injuries. The year also marked the first time in nearly a decade that the number of work-related deaths surpassed 5,000.

Ad Loading...

Transportation accidents remained the most common cause of work deaths, accounting for 40% of the fatalities. Such incidents were responsible for 2,083 fatalities in 2016, according to the bureau.

Violence committed by people or animals increased 23% to become the second-leading cause of work-related deaths. Such violence accounted for 866 deaths. Workplace homicides increased by 83 to reach 500. Workplace suicides increased by 62 to reach 291.

On-the-job overdoses from non-medical use of drugs or alcohol jumped from 165 in 2015 to 217 in 2016 — a 32-% increase. Since 2012, overdose fatalities have risen by at least 25% annually, statistics show.

Fall, slip and trip deaths increased 6%, totaling 849 deaths.

In 2016, fatal overdoses from the non-medical use of drugs or alcohol while on the job increased 32 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Photo by 51fifty via Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons.

In response to the new data, the National Safety Council called on employers to ensure they have policies and training in place to address the major causes of work-related fatalities — including the ongoing opioid crisis and worker fatigue.

Ad Loading...

“Leadership should set the tone from the top and engage all workers in safety, continually looking to identify and mitigate workplace safety hazards and measuring safety performance using leading indicators to ensure continuous improvement,” NSC said in a released statement.

Originally posted on Automotive Fleet

More Rental Operations

Woman receiving car rental rates on computer from AI agent
Rental OperationsSeptember 1, 2026

Who Owns the Rate? AI Is Creating a New Distribution Problem for Car Rental

Generative Engine Optimization asks whether AI can find a rental company, but operators also need to know whether the agent inspected enough of the market, compared equivalent offers, and presented a rate the traveler can actually book. (Part 1 of 2)

Read More →
map of globe with regional corporate car rental rates
Rental Operationsby StaffAugust 25, 2026

U.S. Business Travel Car Rental Rates Forecast to Rise Up to 2%

Improved fleet supply should limit pricing gains in 2026-27, while insurance, repair costs, and softer residual values continue to pressure rental operations, according to Amex GBT.

Read More →
Sixt H1 financial results
Rental Operationsby StaffAugust 14, 2026

Sixt Revenue Tops $2.4 Billion in First Half of 2026

Sixt’s first-half revenue surpassed $2.4 billion for the first time as demand outpaced fleet growth, lifting utilization and earnings despite weaker consumer sentiment in North America.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Bobby Klyce in memoriam image
Rental Operationsby Chris BrownAugust 13, 2026

In Memoriam: Bobby Klyce, Avis Licensee Legend

The longtime Birmingham Avis operator and 2018 Auto Rental News Impact Award recipient was remembered as an advocate for independent licensees and the broader car rental industry.

Read More →
Vibe coding webinar promo image
Rental Operationsby StaffAugust 12, 2026

How to Build Custom Fleet Tools With AI and Vibe Coding [Webinar]

A new Automotive Fleet webinar explores how fleet managers are using AI and vibe coding to automate routine work and create simple operational tools without traditional programming skills.

Read More →
Globe image with Text: GBTA Business Travel Forecast

Car Rental Rates Forecast to Rise 3.6% in 2026 Before Easing in 2027

Car rental rates are projected to rise less than airfares and hotel rates in 2026, then become the only major travel category forecast to decline in 2027, according to projections from GBTA and ALTOUR.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Car rental sign with financial graph in background
Rental Operationsby Chris BrownAugust 2, 2026

Avis Cuts Fleet as Summer Demand Trails Expectations

Avis Budget Group increased second-quarter earnings despite lower Americas revenue and softer-than-expected summer demand. The company also expanded Avis First and advanced its autonomous fleet operations with Waymo.

Read More →
car rental booking engine on computer screen with text: Bookings aren't the whole story
Rental OperationsAugust 1, 2026

Why Bookings Are Only the Start of the Rental Day

A reservation captures demand. The operating test is whether the business can keep the customer, vehicle, commercial terms, and next action aligned until the rental is closed.

Read More →
Rental Operationsby Chris BrownJuly 31, 2026

This Is the Oldest Car Rental Advertisement You’ll Ever See

This ad for Saunders Drive it Yourself, believed to be the first car rental company in the U.S., was found in an Omaha phone book from 1926.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A counter agent chats with a customer over a rental counter
Rental OperationsJuly 21, 2026

The Desk Upsell Is Costing Operators More Than it Earns

Counter upsells generate revenue, but they can also slow transactions, erode trust, and cost repeat business. Fully inclusive pricing may offer operators a better path to long-term value.

Read More →
Ad Loading...