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Transportation fatalities in the United States decreased 1.5 percent in 2006, according to preliminary data released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Fatalities recorded in all transportation modes totaled 45,026 compared with 45,735 in 2005.

Rail and highway fatalities declined while general aviation, marine and pipeline deaths increased. Rail fatalities totaled 781, a 3.6 percent decrease compared with 2005's 803 deaths. The rail sector posted year-over-year declines in all categories except pedestrian fatalities, which rose from 559 to 585.

Highway fatalities — which account for about 95 percent of all transportation deaths — decreased from 43,510 in 2005 to 42,642 in 2006; aviation fatalities rose from 617 to 779; marine fatalities increased from 789 to 805; and pipeline fatalities went up slightly from 16 to 19.