Accidents that caused injuries and fatalities were up overall, though results varied widely by state as some saw decreases. New research shows that crash rates in states that legalized marijuana increased following legalization. The research paper Changes in Traffic Crash Rates After Legalization of Marijuana: Results by Crash Severity by Charles M. Farmer , Ph.D., […]
Traffic Fatalities Estimated to Reach 16-Year High in 2021
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released its early estimate of traffic fatalities for 2021. NHTSA projects that an estimated 42,915 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes last year, a 10.5% increase from the 38,824 fatalities in 2020. The projection is the highest number of fatalities since 2005 and the largest annual percentage increase […]
AAA Foundation Research Finds Spike in Traffic Fatalities Result of High-Risk Younger Men That Were a Larger Share of Those Who Drove More During Pandemic
As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the country, it led to fewer drivers on the roads and a significant reduction in the number of miles driven. And yet, U.S. government data shows traffic fatalities have surged, along with an increase in crashes involving impairment, speeding, red-light running, aggressiveness, and non-seatbelt use, to its highest level […]
IIHS Says Older Drivers at Risk of Crash Fatalities Due to Outdated Vehicles Lacking Safety Equipment
Older drivers, who are less likely to survive severe crashes than any other age group, also tend to drive outdated vehicles that lack crucial safety features, recent studies from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety show. Healthier than ever before, Americans in their 70s and 80s are driving more miles and crashing less often than […]
New Data Shows That U.S. Road Fatalities Spiked in First Half of 2021
Speeding remains above pre-pandemic levels. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today released the Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities for the First Half (January-June) of 2021, which shows the largest six-month increase ever recorded in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System’s history. An estimated 20,160 people died in motor vehicle […]
More than a third of U.S. Fatal and Injury Vehicle Crashes Could be Avoided or Mitigated with Autonomous Emergency Braking Systems
New accident research shows potential to reduce up to 649,000 crashes with injuries or fatalities in U.S. each year. New accident research from Bosch shows the potential of Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) to notably improve roadway safety. According to Bosch’s research, when AEB is present in all vehicles, it could help mitigate or avoid altogether […]
NHTSA Reports Motor Vehicle Fatalities Up Over 10% in First Quarter
Increase occurred even though traffic volume was up year-over-year. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today released the Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities for the First Quarter of 2021. NHTSA estimates that 8,730 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in the first three months of 2021, a 10.5% […]
U.S. Senators Introduce Road to Zero Resolution Calling for an End to Traffic Deaths
With traffic deaths on the rise, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) led their Congressional colleagues in introducing the Road to Zero resolution today in support of progress to eliminate traffic deaths. The resolution expresses a commitment to advancing policies to end roadway fatalities by 2050 and supports efforts to […]
Fatality Data Show Increased Traffic Fatalities During Pandemic in 2020
Risky driving behaviors including failure to wear a seatbelt, speeding, and drinking while driving identified as contributing factors. While Americans drove less in 2020 due to the pandemic, NHTSA’s early estimates show that an estimated 38,680 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes—the largest projected number of fatalities since 2007. This represents an increase of […]
Pedestrian Deaths Soar in 2020 Despite Drop in Driving During Pandemic
Projected fatality rate for people walking spiked 21% for largest ever year-over-year increase as dangerous driving and traffic violence plagued U.S. roads. New data from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) projects that 2020 had the largest ever annual increase in the rate at which drivers struck and killed people on foot. What drove this […]