U.S. Traffic Fatalities Reach Lowest Level Since 2019
U.S. traffic fatalities decreased to their lowest since 2019, following a sharp increase during the COVID pandemic. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported a 6.7% fall in deaths in 2023. Efforts are intensifying to counter risky driving behavior, with $5 billion allocated for road safety improvements.
U.S. traffic fatalities decreased dramatically in 2023, reaching their lowest number since 2019, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reported. The total number of fatalities fell by 6.7% to 36,640, with the fatality rate dropping to 1.10 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, the second lowest figure in the nation's history.
The increase in road deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a 10.8% spike in fatalities in 2021, marking the highest toll since 2005. Pedestrian and cyclist fatalities surged to a four-decade high. Jonathan Morrison, the head of the U.S. auto safety agency, emphasized renewed focus on reducing risky driving behavior.
The downward trend has continued for four consecutive years, with traffic deaths falling below 40,000 in 2024. The U.S. fatality rate soared compared to other developed nations during the pandemic. In response, Congress allocated $5 billion over five years in a broader infrastructure bill to enhance road safety.
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