How many people die in traffic accidents in the US?
Traffic fatalities reached a 16-year-high in 2021, but deaths per miles driven continue to drop.
Traffic fatalities increased more than 10% in 2021, according to preliminary data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The increase came along with a rise in out-of-state travel and greater miles traveled in 2021, rebounding after stay-at-home orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Most of the fatalities occurred on multilane highways and freeways.
Fatality rates, calculated by the number of deaths per 100 million miles traveled, have steadily decreased over time. Much of that decline can be attributed to advances in car safety features such as airbags and anti-lock brakes. Laws requiring seat belt usage also helped reduce traffic fatalities. Since 1990, traffic fatality rates have stayed under two deaths per 100 million miles traveled.
Where do traffic fatalities occur?
The most dangerous roadways are urban arterial roads, which include multilane highways, freeways, and other roads that connect the urban interstate system. Urban arterial roads also have the highest traffic volumes of any road type.
Urban collector and rural arterial roads have the next highest fatality count despite smaller volumes of traffic than urban roads. Rural freeways and expressways had the lowest number of fatalities, despite having higher than average speed limits.
In 2021, 24 states had a higher traffic fatality rate than the national average of 1.34 per 100 million miles. The South had the highest average fatality rate of any other region.
Crashes occurring during the daytime and nighttime increased at similar rates, up 11% and 12% respectively in 2021. Weekends and weekdays also had similar increases in crashes, up 11% and 10%.
August, September, and October had the highest fatalities rates in 2021. Historically, traffic fatality rates are highest in summer and fall months.
Are alcohol-related traffic fatalities increasing?
Traffic fatalities involving alcohol have steadily decreased since 1990. Alcohol-related crashes were once about half of all traffic fatalities, but have decreased to about 30% to 40% in the last two decades.
Alcohol-related fatalities increased by nearly 13% in 2021, totaling 13,876. According to data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, fatalities continue to increase when compared with pre-pandemic numbers.
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Keep exploring
- How many pedestrians and cyclists are killed by cars in America? - Traffic crash fatalities for pedestrians and cyclists have steadily increased in the past decade. Infrastructure improvements can make streets safer for walking and biking.
- Has vehicle traffic returned to pre-pandemic levels? - Forty-eight states reported an increase in vehicle miles traveled on all roads this year, according to preliminary 2023 numbers.
- Is flying safer than driving? - Between 2003 and 2023, air travel recorded 675 serious injuries, compared with over 47 million injuries in passenger vehicles on US highways.
- How many police officers die in the line of duty? - In 2024, over 100 officers died while on duty. Of those deaths, nearly 60% were purposeful killings, and 40% were accidental.
Page sources
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Newly Released Estimates Show Traffic Fatalities Reached a 16-Year High in 2021
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Traffic Safety Facts Annual Report Tables
