Report: Road Fatalities Seem To Be Dropping

For the ninth straight quarter, the number of deaths on the road decreased, preliminary data suggests. 

In a Sept. 5 release, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 18,720 people died in traffic crashes during the first half of 2024, a drop of 3.2 percent from the same period in 2023. 

While deaths were down, the Federal Highway Administration noted that miles driven were up 0.8 percent during the first half of the year compared to the first half of 2023. While a fatality rate of 1.21 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled was initially projected, the data shows a rate of 1.17. 

Digging into state-level data, the report notes that 31 states, as well as Puerto Rico, are projected to have a year-over-year decrease in road fatalities. A year-over-year increase is expected in 18 states and the District of Columbia. Hawaii was an outlier, with its rate remaining flat. 

In a statement, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the decrease in deaths is encouraging, but there is “much more work to do.”