According to a recent report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, traffic fatalities reached a 16-year high in 2021, with estimates that 42,915 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes last year. The estimate represents a 10.5-percent increase in fatalities as compared to the 38,824 traffic deaths recorded in 2020, the biggest percentage increase in the history of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, and the highest number of fatalities since 2005.
“This crisis on our roads is urgent and preventable,” said Deputy Administrator at the NHTSA, Dr. Steven Cliff. “We will redouble our safety efforts, and we need everyone – state and local governments, safety advocates, automakers, and drivers – to join us.”
All 10 NHTSA regions are estimated to have seen an increase in fatalities last year. The increase in deaths coincides with more miles driven, with preliminary data from the Federal Highway Administration showing that vehicle miles traveled last year increased by roughly 325 billion miles as compared to 2020, or 11.2 percent. The data also indicates that the fatality rate last year was 1.33 deaths per 100 million VMT, down slightly from a rate of 1.34 fatalities in 2020.
Several programs are now in place to help address the increase in traffic fatalities, including the National Roadway Safety Strategy, as unveiled by the US Department of Transportation and set to receive resources from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Infrastructure Law also includes the new Safe Streets and Roads for All program, which is poised to invest up to $6 billion over the course of five years to provide funding for local efforts towards the reduction of crashes and fatalities.
The NHTSA has also released $740 million in funding for the 402 State and Community Grant Program, Section 405 National Priority Safety Program, and Section 1906 Racial Profiling Data Collection Grants, with states encouraged to use the funding towards programs that address gaps and opportunities identified for technical assistance efforts, partnership expansion, and the mitigation of risky driving behavior.
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Comments
I noticed after the lock downs ended already bad drivers had become much worse drivers.
“The data also indicates that the fatality rate last year was 1.33 deaths per 100 million VMT, down slightly from a rate of 1.34 fatalities in 2020.”
Basically, safety didn’t change. The only thing that happened was people drove more. Lots of NHTSA clickbait and politicking here.
A couple factual things first: Seat belt usage is stable and still high, which is good. Second, vehicles today are safer than they were just 10 years ago. Last, yes there are more miles being driven today than even in 2020 or years before. With that said, why would we be seeing so many more traffic fatalities?
1. Distracted drivers!! Yup, we need more and bigger screens right? Come on, load these vehicles up with more! I’m sure we can still fit a 50″ wide screen for the “driver” to play with. Ok, sarcasm aside. This is a huge problem and it’s going to get way worse as these companies place more distractions in the cars. We don’t need bigger screens. We don’t need more screens. We need better drivers.
2. Speed. Anywhere I go in any state, the drivers are just going nuts. Even when I get back to the mid-west to visit family, I’m amazed at how much more aggressive the driving is. But it’s not even close to driving in southern California. These drivers out here are just plain nuts and aggressive as heck. And they are angry. Yup, we can fix that by putting bigger and more screens in our vehicles. (again, sarcasm).
Distracted drivers would be my guess ,
Iphones, huge screens, social media…….too much false security in the vehicles safety systems.
Im old, My first car was a 73 El camino, no antilock brakes, no electronic safety systems
So you had to be a better driver and more conscious of your surroundings
the new cars make drivers lazy and distracted
Obviously the new safety features are not working, since there was a huge spike in fatalities
so the facts speak for themselves, cars are not necessarily safer with all these systems that distract the driver and make the driver lazy, Air bag technology has made crashes more survivable but they don’t make you a better driver
1973… 4.12 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles travelled
2021… 1.33 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles travelled
So the fact speak for themselves… the problem is old people thinking they’re better.
Sam: The problem with your assessment, although factual, is that it doesn’t take into account the massive increases and improvements in vehicle safety. If you take the average vehicle safety in 1973 vs. the average in 2021, it’s not even close. So you tell me why with all the changes and extra safety, why do we still have so many deaths and why are we having so many serious accidents? Distracted drivers paying too much attention to gadgets and screens instead of their driving AND speed.
And about your “old” comment. Want to place a wager? I’ll bet you that the numbers will show way more younger people in these accidents than old people.
The fatal accident rate of somebody 70-80 is statistically identical to that of an 18-19 year old. The most dangerous drivers are 80+, they are more likely to die or kill somebody than a 16 year old.
The accident rate of somebody 25-69 is statistically indistinguishable, which is exactly why rental car companies have the 25 threshold.
Actually 16-19 are statically the highest group for accidents and death.
Accidents yes, deaths and injuries no.
Sam: Please list your source of those stats. I don’t believe that the 70+ is the same as the under 25. I understand that the article is talking about fatalities and you are as well, but in my comment I spoke about both deaths and serious accidents. I’m speaking more about distracted drivers.
because the cars we drove in 1973 was like a Sherman tank and now we drive an aluminum can
From the perspective of crash standards, no. You are absolutely correct when it comes to low speed collisions. Today’s cars bumpers fall of if you look at them wrong. But I would still prefer to be in a new car if someone T-bones in an intersection.
Lol, the differences between the 70’s and now are much safer vehicles (seat belts, air bags, crush zones, plastic shock absorbing bumpers, radial tires, power disc brakes, rack and pinion power steering, better lighting), better designed highways, better emergency response, and better medical services to name a few.
NOT OLD PEOPLE, but the younger crowd needs to learn hot to drive like a person
and not like a dam neanderthal and think they OWN the road they are on.
the thing i do not understand is that you are not to be on your phones while driving but then lets put computer screens and other things to distract the driver
cliff: Amen!! You are so right.
Yes too many distractions and we’ve forgotten how to do the basic thing drive the car now we’re introducing self driving cars ridiculous stay home
I am seeing increases in Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
The spike really has been in drugs.
It is not just death but arrest. My local crime blotters are just packed for people driving poorly and are found under the influence of drugs.
Yes I also agree with you on this item but the politicians approve marijuana for use going to make the law enforcement people work that much harder but it’s all about money
That’s because the police stopped policing our roads because of the defund/anti-police movement by liberals. Now people drive like crazy like there are no speed limits or stop lights. It will difficult to get this toothpaste back in the tube. Just be sure you have good insurance and vehicle cameras.
Could you please provide a link(s) indicating where policing has been defunded anywhere in the country. I mean we all know how much respect Conservatives have for the police after Jan 6.
Jag: Thank you. I can’t stand when people come on here and begin to spread the conspiracy theories.
Old School: Just to play your game: Google Madison Cawthorn and his terrible driving and getting caught. Now Google the right wing nut in North or South Dakota who was driving under the influence and hit/killed a guy along the road and then left him to die. Yup, those liberals alright.
Just propaganda so big brother Pete B. has an excuse to lower speed limits and put cameras all over the Interstates, while wasting my tax dollars. As was said, it’s distracted driving stupid.
It’s all about the myriad of electronic distractions from e cigarettes, cell phones, ear phones, laptops, I pods, infotainment screens, b boxes, overloading instrumentation, electronic roadside billboards switching ad screens, etc.
Focus should be on the road and it’s constant changes.
The cabin should not be a rolling entertainment center, office, and dining room for the driver on wheels. Get a chauffer like in Lincoln Lawyer.
I see it on a daily basis. People blowing through stop lights, not coming to a full stop making right turns, excessive speeding on boulevards, smoking pot while driving and loads of road rage. Throw in so many angry drivers, cell phone and touch screen distractions and an growing dependance on advanced safety features which tears down our driving skills and this is hardly surprising. It will just get worse as the current regime keeps tearing us down.
I’m sure the Michigan roads cause a number of those accidents and deaths. Our local roads look like they’ve taken hits from Putin’s missiles.
I agree with Cliff. Too much needless distracting crap on touch screens. A few buttons or knobs that can be activated by feel makes more sense than burying common functions in the menu of a touch screen. So far the Germans are the worst for this tech for techs sake. My 2021 AT4 is not too bad as it can still be accessed through buttons etc. However the voice activation system and I do not get along at all ! lol
The thing I’ve seen more and more throughout my law enforcement career is more distracted driving. As of now majority of drivers have a device in their hands. Also ever since COVID the lack of traffic enforcement, I see more people running lights, stop sign and speed more.
More states with legalized pot, more work at home, less random drug testing, more traffic fatalities… plain and simple.
Ya, I could never understand legalizing weed from a safe driving point of view… Makes perfect sense though from a government point of view to exploit every last weakness in mankind… Taxing booze, gambling, and now, illegal drugs.
But, hey! Stay safe on those roads…
Good comments above. Some I agree with. Some I don’t.
I will add that for the last 5 years or so but more so post Covid, that it truly appears that too many drivers have learned how to drive from video games.
I still hear my Dad’s voice in my head as I drive. He was an awesome teacher when I was 16. Took Driver’s Education in high school then too. Then again at 21 when I took an intensive course to get my Class AZ (CDL) license to drive semi-trucks. Each step I learned driving skills that still work for me today. I see too many people making very bad choices as they drive these days. Our roads are scary places anymore.