It Figures

80

The injury rate per 100-million miles traveled in the U.S. That’s down from 169 injuries per 100-million miles reported 20 years ago, according to the American Insurance Association, which credits 40 years of auto and traffic safety efforts across the country. Over those four decades, the motor vehicle traffic fatality rate dropped from 5.19 deaths per-100 million miles traveled in 1968 to 1.27 deaths per-100 million miles in 2008.

81

The number of fires ignited in central and northern California by 1,500 lightning strikes over one weekend this month, according to fire officials. Firefighters were able to contain most of the fires. But Department of Fire and Forestry Protection officials said more fires are likely because of the lack of rain and possible future lightning.

82

The estimate of the number of homes destroyed by the major wildfire that burned north of Los Angeles in August and September. The arson-caused fire killed two firefighters and burned 250 square miles.

1.9%

The decline in the reported cases of violent crime in the U.S. in 2008 compared to 2007, according to the FBI. Property crimes, led by a downturn in motor vehicle theft crimes, also declined in 2008, by about 0.8 percent.

1 in 10

The number of binge drinkers who got behind the wheel the last time they drank heavily. Half of those drivers left from a bar, restaurant or nightclub after downing five or more drinks, according to a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

$39.5 billion

The total insured losses (adjusted to 2008 dollars) from the 9/11 attack on Manhattan eight years ago. The 9/11 attacks produced the second largest loss in the history of insurance, falling just behind the claims losses left by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, according to the Insurance Information Institute. The losses included property, business interruption, aviation, workers’ compensation, life and liability insurance claim costs. About two thirds of these were paid by reinsurers.