National traffic fatalities continue to drop following spike during onset of pandemic, data shows

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The number of traffic fatalities on U.S. roadways continued to fall for the second consecutive quarter, following a significant spike during the early stages of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Earlier this week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities for the First Nine Months of 2022 report, examining nationwide data to determine trends in traffic-related fatalities.

According to the report, the latest statistical projections show an estimated 31,785 motor vehicle fatalities in the first nine months of 2022, down approximately 0.2% from the 31,850 fatalities estimated in the first nine months of 2021.

The report found that vehicle miles traveled increased by about 39 billion miles, or 1.6%, in the first nine months of 2022, with the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled slightly decreasing from 1.32 in the first nine months of 2021 to 1.3 in 2022.

Four of the 10 NHTSA regions experienced increases in traffic fatalities from the first nine months of 2021 to the first nine months of 2022, including a 4% increase in NHTSA Region 2, which includes New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.

In New York, there were an estimated 865 traffic deaths in the first nine months of 2022, a 3.8% increase from the 833 during the same timespan in 2021.

The total number of traffic fatalities has now dropped for the second consecutive quarter, with roadway deaths during the third quarter of 2022 (July through September) dropping by 0.8%, from 11,780 in 2021 to 11,690 in 2022.

Traffic fatalities also fell during the second quarter of 2022 (April through June) by 4.9%, from 11,135 in 2021 to 10,590 in 2022.

Prior to the last two quarters, year-over-year traffic deaths had increased for seven consecutive quarters beginning in the third quarter of 2020.

“Fatalities have not increased for two quarters now, but we have far more work to do to save lives and address the crisis on our nation’s roadways. That means investing in safety, implementing strategies that work, and embracing the safe system approach outlined in the Department’s National Roadway Safety Strategy,” said NHTSA Acting Administrator Ann Carlson.

Last January, in an effort to buck the trend of rising roadway fatalities, the U.S. Department of Transportation released the National Roadway Safety Strategy, a comprehensive roadmap of policies and initiatives designed to bolster roadway safety.

The roadmap outlines a multi-layered approach to reducing traffic fatalities through embracing safer street designs, safer vehicles and better post-crash care, while also emphasizing the importance of educating drivers on avoiding dangerous driving behavior and speeding.

“We urge everyone to do their part by driving safely and watching out for others on the road, especially vulnerable road users like pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists,” Carlson said.

RECORD INCREASE LAST YEAR

The declining roadway deaths during the first nine months of 2022 come on the heels of the deadliest year on U.S. streets in 16 years.

Last May, the NHTSA released its Early Estimates of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities for 2021, showing an estimated 42,915 traffic deaths in 2021, a 10.5% increase over the 38,824 recorded in 2020.

The estimated death total marked the highest number since 2005, with the 10.5% rise representing the highest year-to-year increase in the country’s recorded history.

Among the most concerning trends was that fatalities rose among some of the most vulnerable road users, including a 14% increase in senior fatalities, a 13% increase in pedestrian fatalities, a 9% increase in motorcyclist fatalities, and a 5% increase in cyclist fatalities, data showed.

The increased number of deaths could be attributed, in part, to increased dangerous driving behaviors, with a 5% increase in speeding-related fatalities and a 5% increase in alcohol-involved fatalities.

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