Topic
Road safety charts
6 charts about road safety, each with its public source, its numbers and its date.
-
How many people die in traffic crashes in the U.S. each year?
39,254 people died in traffic crashes in the U.S. in 2024, down from a recent high of 43,230 in 2021 and well below the 1979 peak of 51,093. The lowest year ...
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) · Data as of Dec 31, 2024
-
What share of people killed in cars weren't wearing a seat belt?
In 2024, 48% of the people killed in passenger cars, SUVs, pickups and vans weren't wearing a seat belt (9,758 people), counting only those whose belt use is...
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) · Data as of Dec 31, 2024
-
Are U.S. roads getting safer per mile driven?
Much safer than in 1980, though not safer than in the early 2010s. In 2024 there were 1.19 deaths for every 100 million miles driven, about a third of the 19...
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and FHWA Highway Statistics (table VM-2) · Data as of Dec 31, 2024
-
Which states have the highest and lowest traffic death rates?
In 2024 Mississippi had the highest traffic death rate, 1.81 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles, followed by Arizona (1.74) and South Carolina (1.67). Mass...
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and FHWA Highway Statistics (table VM-2) · Data as of Dec 31, 2024
-
What share of U.S. traffic deaths involve speeding?
In 2024, 29% of U.S. traffic deaths, 11,288 people, were in crashes where police reported that a driver was speeding: over the limit, too fast for conditions...
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) · Data as of Dec 31, 2024
-
What share of U.S. traffic deaths involve an alcohol-impaired driver?
In 2024, 30% of U.S. traffic deaths, about 11,900 people, were in crashes where a driver had a blood alcohol level of .08 or more, the legal limit in every s...
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) · Data as of Dec 31, 2024