Traffic accidents kill more police officers than violent
assaults, according to a new report from the International Union
of Police Associations.

o A total of 156 officers died in the line of duty last year
— 47 percent of whom were killed in car or motorcycle
accidents, or were hit while walking.

o Roughly half of fatal traffic accidents occur at
intersections, often during pursuits — while about 30
percent occur when an officer loses control of his car
during a high-speed chase, and 20 percent occur when
police vehicles collide with suspects’ cars.

o Violent attacks, including those involving firearms,
claimed 37 percent of lives lost in the line of duty.

o Job-related illnesses claimed 12 percent.

Over the past five years, an average of 159 officers died
annually while working. And roughly 20,000 officers are injured
every year, more than 8,000 of them in traffic accidents.

Source: Scott Bowles, “Accidents Kill More Police Than Assaults,”
USA Today, October 27, 1999.

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