The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has projected an estimated 39,345 fatalities from traffic accidents in 2024. This figure indicates a 3.8% reduction from the 40,901 traffic deaths reported in 2023 and marks the first instance since 2020 where fatalities dropped below 40,000.
The ongoing decrease in quarterly fatality numbers began in the second quarter of 2022. The fourth quarter of 2024 recorded the 11th consecutive reduction in such fatalities.
NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser expressed moderate optimism, stating: “It’s encouraging to see that traffic fatalities are continuing to fall from their COVID pandemic highs. Total road fatalities, however, remain significantly higher than a decade ago, and America’s traffic fatality rate remains high relative to many peer nations.” Simshauser also mentioned that the USDOT is collaborating with law enforcement to improve traffic enforcement focusing on issues like speeding, impairment, distraction, and lack of seatbelt use.
The early data for 2024 reflects similar trends to 2023, with Americans traveling more miles even as fatality rates declined. Preliminary findings from the Federal Highway Administration noted a 1% rise in miles traveled and a decrease in the fatality rate to 1.20 per 100 million vehicle miles, the lowest since 2019. Despite this improvement, the rate is still above the pre-COVID average of 1.13.
Fatality estimates for 2024 show decreases in 35 states and Puerto Rico, whereas increases are anticipated in 14 states and the District of Columbia, with one state remaining the same as in 2023.
Additionally, NHTSA released the final 2023 Fatality Analysis Reporting System and Crash Reporting Sampling System data. A noted 1,820 fewer deaths occurred in motor vehicle crashes in 2023 compared to 2022, marking a 4.3% decrease from 42,721 in 2022 to 40,901 in 2023, the second consecutive yearly decline since 2021. The fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled had fallen by 6%, from 1.34 in 2022 to 1.26 in 2023.
