Traffic deaths in West Virginia rose by 9.6 percent in 2006. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the number of traffic deaths in West Virginia increased from 374 in 2005 to 410 in 2006. Missouri saw the biggest decline, dropping from 1,257 in 2005 to 1096 in 2006. The largest percentage decreases were in New Hampshire and the District of Columbia. Both saw a 23 percent drop.
Arizona's death toll increased the most, by 109, from 1,179 in 2005 to 1,288 in 2006.
Vermont had the highest percentage increase, with a 19 percent rise.
Nationwide, the number of traffic deaths fell to 42,642, the lowest total in five years.