Based on its most recent preliminary analysis, the National Safety Council (NSC) says preventable traffic crashes on U.S. roadways continued in 2024 at a crisis level with little improvement.

An estimated 44,680 people died in preventable traffic crashes during 2024, which is only 82 fewer deaths than occurred in 2023.

“There is still critical work needed to make our roadways safer,” said Mark Chung, NSC executive vice president of safety leadership and advocacy, in a press release. “Without significant changes, potential danger will continue to pose ongoing risks to the millions of Americans who rely on our roads daily. We must make new commitments to support safer conditions for all road users to ensure everyone makes it home safely.”

Six states and the District of Columbia experienced increases of 10% or more in motor vehicle fatalities from the previous year:

• • Maine (+38%)
  • California (+34%)
  • Alaska (+23%)
  • Oklahoma (+21%)
  • Minnesota (+14%)
  • New Jersey (+12%)
  • District of Columbia (+11%)

Ten other states experienced decreases of 10% or more:

• • Rhode Island (-26%)
  • Wyoming (-25%)
  • North Dakota (-20%)
  • Vermont (-17%)
  • Idaho (-14%)
  • Kansas (-14%)
  • Kentucky (-14%)
  • Georgia (-12%)
  • Florida (-11%)
  • Tennessee (-11%)

Motor vehicle fatality estimates are subject to slight fluctuations as data matures. NSC uses data from the National Center for Health Statistics, an arm of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), so that deaths occurring within 100 days of the crash and on public and private roadways – such as parking lots and driveways – are included in the Council’s estimates.

Distracted driving continues to be a serious concern, and ahead of Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April, NSC urges all road users to remain fully focused on the task of driving. NSC says speeding and impaired driving must also be addressed through thoughtful infrastructure design and improvements, driver education, and the implementation of life-saving technology solutions.

NSC continues to advocate for proven safety technologies including speed safety cameras, intelligent speed assistance, advanced impaired driving prevention technology, and automatic emergency braking. These tools have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing crashes and saving lives, according to the NSC.

A report released Thursday by the CDC regards preventable traffic deaths as a major public health problem.

Between 2013 and 2022, U.S. pedestrian death rates increased 50% (from 1.55 to 2.33 per 100,000 population) while other countries generally experienced decreases, according to the CDC.

During the period, overall U.S. traffic death rates increased 22.5% (from 10.41 to 12.76) and decreased by a median of 19.4% in 27 other high-income countries.

The U.S. had the highest pedestrian death rates overall and among ages 15-24 and 25-64.

Based on projected 2023 U.S. estimates, the CDC says there was a 2% decline in pedestrian deaths and a 4% decline in traffic deaths overall compared to 2022.

“Accelerated adoption of a Safe System approach, focused on creating safer roadways and vehicles, establishing safer speeds, supporting safer road users, and improving post-crash care, can help reduce U.S. pedestrian and overall traffic deaths,” the CDC’s report states.

“There are many possible contributors to the increases in U.S. pedestrian and overall road traffic death rates, including a changing mix of vehicles on U.S. roadways and changing dimensions of these vehicles. The proportion of taller and heavier vehicles with poor visibility (e.g., sport utility vehicles [SUVs] and pickup trucks) has increased, and the physical characteristics of these vehicles have become larger over time (e.g., heavier overall weight and higher bumpers), making them more likely to be involved in certain types of crashes and to result in death when crashes occur.”

In fact, the CDC reports that SUVs, vans, and pickup trucks accounted for 79% of new U.S. leases and vehicle sales in 2022, while the proportion of smaller vehicles, such as sedans, declined from 50% of new vehicles in 2012 to 21% in 2022.

“Compared with passenger cars, SUVs and pickup trucks are more likely to strike pedestrians during certain maneuvers (e.g., turning), and pedestrians are 50%-100% more likely to be killed when they are in a crash involving a SUV or pickup truck,” the CDC wrote.

High-speed and complex, mult-ilane roadways are also associated with increased U.S. pedestrian deaths, according to the CDC.

In 2022, pedestrian deaths reached their highest number, 7,522, in 41 years. The same year, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) sought to significantly reduce serious injuries and deaths by supporting improved data for better decision-making via establishment of the National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS)

The NRSS embraces the Safe System Approach, which NSC says offers a comprehensive framework that has successfully reduced fatalities in many countries through safer roads, safer speeds, safer vehicles, safer people, and better post-crash care.

“Success depends on involvement from multiple stakeholders, including safety advocates, infrastructure firms, emergency responders, and government leaders at all levels,” NSC said, in the release. “Reducing traffic deaths requires coordinated government action based on the Safe System Approach. NSC urges the U.S. Department of Transportation to develop a comprehensive action plan with clear milestones that address the disproportionate risks faced by vulnerable road users.

“This plan should include collaboration with the Departments of Labor, Justice, and Health and Human Services to protect roadway workers, enforce traffic laws, provide treatment for substance use disorders, and strengthen protections through targeted legislation, rulemaking, and funding programs.”

Early estimates released in November by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) showed 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.

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

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