The memorandum provides background on the US Department of Transportation's updated guidance recommending $5.8 million as the statistical economic value for preventing a human fatality. This is a substantial increase from the previous value of $3 million from 2002. It notes that while states are not required to use this estimate, the DOT prepared it specifically for its own regulatory and investment analyses. It also indicates that the agency is reviewing the information and plans to update its 1994 technical advisory on accident costs to reflect the new figures. Contact information is provided for additional details.