The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) early estimates show a decline in fatalities in nearly all subcategories, including pedestrian, speeding-related crashes, rollover crashes, and crashes involving unbuckled occupants during the first half of 2024, a press release says. 

An NHTSA report released in September estimated 18,720 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes during the first half of 2024, a 3.2% decrease compared to the same time period in 2023. 

During the first half of 2024, the estimated fatality rate is 1.17 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT), another decrease from the projected rate of 1.21 in 2023. 

“We are encouraged by the declines estimated in these key categories but know we still have more work to do to make our roads safer for everyone,” NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman said in the release. “We will use every tool we have to save lives, reduce injuries, and prevent risky driving behaviors.” 

Fatalities in 2024 subcategories decreased:

• • “12% during out-of-state travel
  • “9% in ejected passengers
  • “8% on urban interstates
  • “7% in passenger vehicle occupants less than 10 years old
  • “7% in unrestrained occupants of passenger vehicles
  • “7% in passengers
  • “6% in passenger vehicle rollover crashes
  • “6% in passenger vehicle occupants
  • “6% in speeding-related crashes
  • “5% in rural or urban collector roads/local roads
  • “5% involving roadway departure crashes
  • “4% at night
  • “4% during weekends
  • “3% in pedestrians”

The only categories that saw an increase in fatalities were the 65 and older age group (1%) and motorcyclists (1%). 

Following a sharp increase in traffic fatalities and serious injuries during and after the pandemic, the U.S. Department of Transportation launched the National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS) in 2022. 

The Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which included the Safe Streets and Roads for All program complemented the NRSS, according to the release. The department announced the final round of 2024 awards in November including $172 million in grants for 257 communities. The program has funded projects in more than 1,600 communities for about 75% of the U.S. population. 

President-elect Donald Trump has named former nine-year Wisconsin Rep. Sean Duffy as his nominee for transportation secretary.

According to the Associated Press, “Trump said Duffy would use his experience and relationships built over the years in Congress ‘to maintain and rebuild our Nation’s Infrastructure and fulfill our Mission of ushering in The Golden Age of Travel, focusing on Safety, Efficiency, and Innovation. Importantly, he will greatly elevate the Travel Experience for all Americans!’”

Bloomberg notes that Trump’s administration will aim for the department’s federal infrastructure investment “to look more like what the incoming president and Republican congressional leaders seek.”

“That includes potentially fewer bike lanes, more highway widenings, less federally supported mass transit — or none at all if the policy planners from the Heritage Foundation get their way,” the article states. “Building new airports, a favorite talking point of Trump’s back when he was first president, is poised to gain new attention.”

NHTSA said it continues to move forward with initiatives to make roads safer including finalizing a mandate that requires automatic emergency braking (AEB) on all passenger cars and light trucks by 2029. It also continues to work with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration toward finalizing similar rules for heavy vehicles. 

Last week, NHTSA rejected a petition by OEM groups including the Alliance for Automotive Innovation (Auto Innovators) that requested the administration reconsider the AEB requirements. 

In response, Auto Innovators sent a letter to Trump urging him to re-open the AEB rule and “foster a collaborative and solutions-oriented approach to roadway safety.”

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