WASHINGTON, D.C. - Transportation fatalities in the United States decreased by 9.2 percent in 2009 from 2008, according to preliminary figures released by the National Transportation Safety Board. And school buses continued to get even safer.

The data indicates that transportation fatalities in all modes totaled 35,928 in 2009, compared to 39,569 in 2008. Highway, rail, and aviation deaths declined, while pipeline and marine fatalities showed an increase. Meanwhile, school bus fatalities fell by two-thirds from the 2007-2008 school year compared to the 2008-2008 school year, and by another three-quarters during the 2009-2010 school year. For the most recent year reported, this means on-board school bus fatalities accounted for just 0.01 percent of all deaths occurring on the nation's roads.

Six students died on school buses during the 2007-2008 school year compared to four students the following year. On-board fatalities dropped again during the 2009-2010 school year to three. According to school bus extrapolations from the NHTSA Fatality Accident Reporting System and School Transportation News research, there have been an average of 6.3 student deaths a year on school buses since the 1998-1999 school year.

"While statistics show that transportation fatalities have declined this past year," commented NTSB Chairman Deborah A. P. Hersman in a statement. "We continue to see far too many accidents in all segments of the transportation community. There is still much work to do to prevent the loss of life on our roads, rails, waterways, and skies."

Total highway fatalities accounted for nearly 95 percent of all transportation deaths but still fell to 33,808 in 2009 from 37,423 in 2008. Highway fatalities also decreased in all categories including motorcycle fatalities (down 16 percent) which NTSB said had been on the rise in recent years. Pipeline fatalities increased by six (8 to 14), with an increase in both categories — gas pipelines and liquid pipeline operations.

Marine deaths increased from 783 to 817, with the vast majority occurring in recreational boating (736). Other marine categories, including cargo transport and commercial fishing, showed increases as well, although commercial passenger vessels showed a slight decrease.

Aviation deaths decreased to 538 from 574. Nearly 90 percent of these fatalities occurred in general aviation accidents (471), but they still represented a decrease from the previous year (494). Rail fatalities also fell by 4 percent to 751 from 781. The vast majority of these fatalities were persons struck by a rail vehicle.