NHTSA Estimates Traffic Fatalities in 2024 Were Lowest in Five Years

Early estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for traffic fatalities in 2024 indicate that the number of people who died in traffic crashes will reach the lowest point in five years.

The NHTSA estimates project that 39,345 people died in traffic crashes last year, a decrease of 3.8% from the 40,901 fatalities reported in 2023—the first time since 2020 that the number of fatalities fell below 40,000.

The quarterly fatality declines that began in the second quarter of 2022 also continued, with the fourth quarter of 2024 marking the 11th consecutive quarterly decrease in traffic fatalities, according to the administration.

“It’s encouraging to see that traffic fatalities are continuing to fall from their COVID pandemic highs. Total road fatalities, however, remain significantly higher than a decade ago, and America’s traffic fatality rate remains high relative to many peer nations,” NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser said in a statement.

Americans are driving more miles while fatality rates continued to decrease. Preliminary data from the Federal Highway Administration shows vehicle miles traveled increased by 1%, while the fatality rate for 2024 decreased to 1.20 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. That’s the lowest since 2019, but still above the average rate of 1.13 in the seven years before COVID.

NHTSA also estimates that fatalities fell in 35 states and Puerto Rico in 2024, while increases are projected in 14 states and the District of Columbia, as compared to 2023. One state remained unchanged.