Feds Report Traffic Fatalities Fell 3.2 Percent in First Half of Year

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported U.S. traffic deaths declined 3.2% during the first six months of this year. Fatalities have declined for nine straight quarters.

The numbers are “early estimates” by the safety agency, but confirm the long-term trend of lower fatalities rates. An estimated 18,720 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes, a decrease of about 3.2% as compared to 19,330 fatalities projected to have occurred in the first half of 2023.

“Reversing the rise in roadway deaths has been a top priority for this Department, so we’re encouraged to see continued reductions in traffic fatalities — yet the overall proportions of this issue remain at crisis levels and there is much more work to do,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.

“Safety is at the core of our mission, and we are using funds from the Biden-Harris infrastructure package to deliver lifesaving resources to communities across the country so that roads become safer for everyone.”

By the numbers

Not only has the overall number of deaths declined, but also the rate of fatalities fell.

The number of vehicle miles traveled in the first half of 2024 increased by about 13.1 billion miles, or roughly 0.8% higher than the same time period last year.

More miles driven combined with fewer traffic deaths resulted in a fatality rate of 1.17 fatalities per 100 million VMT, down from the projected rate of 1.21 fatalities per 100 million VMT in the first half of 2023.

NHTSA estimates a decrease in fatalities in 31 states and Puerto Rico. The fatality rate in one state remained unchanged, while 18 states and the District of Columbia are projected to have experienced increases.

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Change in trend

The downward trend of fatalities comes on the heels of an uptick during the pandemic. With fewer people on the road, drivers were emboldened to drive faster and more dangerously in many cases. Prior to the pandemic-fueled increase, fatalities had been in decline for years, courtesy of the improved safety of newer vehicles.

“We’re encouraged that after spiking during the pandemic, traffic deaths are coming down,” NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman said.

“NHTSA continues to advance traffic safety with all the tools at our disposal, including rulemakings for lifesaving vehicle technologies and increased Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for state highway safety offices.”

Since January 2021, NHTSA finalized a significant number of safety initiatives aimed at reducing traffic deaths, such as a new requirement for passenger cars and light trucks to come equipped with automatic emergency braking systems by 2029.

Not all agree

NHTSA’s not the only organization tallying these statistics. The National Safety Council also tracks road deaths, and it offered a less enthusiastic early look at the numbers. The NSC, a national nonprofit safety advocacy organization, claims an estimated 20,900 people died in “preventable traffic crashes” through the first half of 2024.

The group does agree with NHTSA’s estimate of a slight increase in miles driven, characterizing it as less than 1%. It should be noted that the NSC’s number are typically higher than NHTSA’s and no definition of “preventable crashes” is offered.

“While it’s encouraging that traffic fatalities have not increased in the first half of 2024, the fact that they remain unchanged highlights the urgent need for continued action,” said Mark Chung, executive vice president of safety leadership and advocacy at NSC.