I don't wish to appear cold blooded or unsympathetic to the friends and families who are grieving for their lost ones.
A little rational thought suggests that we are experiencing a very unpleasant blip this year and that the numbers will still average out over the longer term, so too much cause and effect thinking on one year may not be entirely helpful.
IMHO the best way to remember these unfortunate people is to read the accident reports when available and try to learn the lessons at that stage.
I know that I have been fortunate enough to screw up in the past and get away with it and I find the comments about Darwin particularly offensive, as I have also seen situations where people have been killed when absolutely blameless.