US traffic fatalities level off to remain flat

Despite rises over the past five years, fatalities recorded no increase from 2021 to 2022, according to QuoteWizard.com, an on-line insurance comparison platform.
By David Arminas October 11, 2023 Read time: 3 mins
Traffic fatalities increased by 10% or more in 13 states and decreased by 10% or more in five states

Over the past five years, traffic fatalities in the US have increased by 13%. However, fatalities rose 18% between 2019 and 2020, but only 9% between 2020 and 2021. Then, from 2021 to 2022, traffic fatalities recorded no increase.

Although no increase overall for the US was recorded from 2021 to 2022, increases and decreases vary greatly from state to state. Traffic fatalities increased by 10% or more in 13 states and decreased by 10% or more in five states, according to data assembled by QuoteWizard.com, an on-line insurance comparison platform and part of LendingTree, an online lending marketplace founded in 1996 and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Connecticut saw the biggest increase in fatal crashes, rising 29% between 2021 and 2022. Idaho’s traffic fatalities decreased by 19% during the same period. The improvement in Idaho is noteworthy since it ranked as the most dangerous state for traffic fatalities between 2020 and 2021, with a staggering 30% increase.

Overall, these improvements are encouraging, especially after a particularly deadly past few years. Traffic fatalities reached a 13-year high in 2020, when 42,000 people died on America’s roads. Texas, California and Florida have the highest numbers of traffic fatalities overall, but California was the only one of those three which saw an increase (3%).

Distracted driving is the leading cause of auto fatalities, followed by speeding. Seasonality also plays a major role in the dangers on US roads. The late summer and early autumn tend to be the most perilous times to drive, with August being the most dangerous month. The Labour Day holiday – in early September - accounts for the most traffic deaths over a holiday period and is considered the deadliest holiday during which to be on the road, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

The type of roadway and method of transportation have a substantial impact on the severity of a crash. Slow rural roads and rural highways saw the biggest increases in fatal crashes, while urban roads became safer over the past year.

Fatalities involving pedestrians decreased, but deaths increased 11% for pedal cyclists. Although speeding is a top cause of traffic accidents nationwide, fatalities caused by speeding decreased 6%. Incidents involving large trucks increased 13% from 2020 to 2021, but increased only 2% from 2021 to 2022.

Traffic fatalities by roadway,  % change from 2021:

Road                            2021      2022    Change
Interstate                   2,046     2,153    5%
Urban interstate      3,632     3,637    0%
Rural arterial             7,845     8,411    7%
Urban arterial        16,506   15,508    -6%
Rural collector          7,301     7,913    8%
Urban collector        5,609     5,172    -8%
 

QuoteWizard.com said that the traffic fatality data was sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 2022 Traffic Safety Facts. Traffic fatality demographic data, roadway and type were sourced from a separate NHTSA Crash Stats publication from 2022. Definitions for types of fatalities and roadway categories follow NHTSA guidelines.

The full report can be found on-line by clicking here.

 

Highway & Network Management

Related Content

  • EU road fatalities dip 1% for 2018 but 2020 target slips away
    April 15, 2019
    The number of fatalities on European Union roads dipped by 1% last year, according to preliminary figures published today by the European Commission. In 2018, there were around 25,100 road accident fatalities within the 28 EU member countries. This is a decrease of 21% compared to 2010. With an average of 49 road deaths per one million inhabitants, this confirms that European roads are by far the safest in the world, noted the Commission. But there is remains doubt that the EU target of halving the nu
    Read More
  • Cannabis users are at risk from DUI
    February 16, 2022
    Cannabis users who drive are at serious risk from DUI.
    Read More
  • The global road safety crisis needs to be addressed
    October 12, 2017
    The global road casualty rate continues to climb as motorisation levels grow and is particularly acute in the developing world. Developing countries suffer from a particularly high rate of crashes and around 90% of road fatalities. The impact, both in economic and human terms, is unsustainable. These countries cannot afford the loss to their economies of the young and economically active.
    Read More
  • The global road safety crisis needs to be addressed
    October 12, 2017
    The global road casualty rate continues to climb as motorisation levels grow and is particularly acute in the developing world. Developing countries suffer from a particularly high rate of crashes and around 90% of road fatalities. The impact, both in economic and human terms, is unsustainable. These countries cannot afford the loss to their economies of the young and economically active.
    Read More

Highlighted Content