Topic
Road safety charts
6 charts about road safety, each with its public source, its numbers and its date.
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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, against a recent high of 43,230 in 2021 and the 1979 peak of 51,093. The lowest year since 1975 wa...
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) · Data as of Dec 31, 2024
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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, counting only those whose belt use is known. The sha...
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) · Data as of Dec 31, 2024
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Are U.S. roads getting safer per mile driven?
In 2024 there were 1.19 deaths for every 100 million miles driven, down from 3.35 in 1980. The lowest rate was 1.08 in 2014; it jumped to 1.34 in 2020, when ...
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and FHWA Highway Statistics (table VM-2) · Data as of Dec 31, 2024
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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). Mas...
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and FHWA Highway Statistics (table VM-2) · Data as of Dec 31, 2024
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What share of U.S. traffic deaths involve speeding?
In 2024, 29% of U.S. traffic deaths were in crashes where police reported that a driver was speeding: over the limit, too fast for conditions, or racing. The...
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) · Data as of Dec 31, 2024
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What share of U.S. traffic deaths involve an alcohol-impaired driver?
In 2024, 30% of U.S. traffic deaths were in crashes where a driver had a blood alcohol level of .08 or more, the legal limit in every state but Utah (.05). T...
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) · Data as of Dec 31, 2024