NHTSA reports a major drop in road deaths this year, but Hawaii and a few states saw big spikes
- 17,140 Americans died in traffic crashes during the first half of this year.
- Fatalities fell 8.2% compared to 2024 when 18,680 deaths were reported.
- Drop came despite the fact that Americans are driving more than last year.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has revealed some good news as early indications are that traffic fatalities declined significantly in the first half of the year. While the numbers haven’t been finalized at this point, initial estimates suggest 17,140 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes between January and June.
More: Traffic Fatalities Hit 4-Year Low, Nearly Return To Pre-Pandemic Levels
While that sounds pretty high, the government noted it’s actually a “substantial” 8.2 percent decline. That’s a sizable drop as there were 18,680 fatalities in the first six months of 2024.
Fewer Deaths, More Driving
Interestingly, the drop in fatalities occurred despite the fact that Americans are driving more. They logged an extra 12.1 billion miles in the first half of the year, resulting in a fatality rate of 1.06 per 100 million miles traveled. That marks an 8.6% improvement over last year and the lowest mid-year rate recorded since 2014.
Regional Contrasts
The national trend is positive overall, but the numbers vary widely by state. Thirty-eight states are projected to see a drop in traffic fatalities with Connecticut leading the way thanks to an impressive 32.5% decline.
On the flip side, deaths skyrocketed 47.8% in Hawaii. Other states with increases include Idaho (18.6%), Kansas (21.2%), Massachusetts (15.1%), Montana (9.8%), New Hampshire (7.5%), North Dakota (5.6%), Utah (2.7%), West Virginia (6.7%), and Wyoming (10.2%).
While the NHTSA didn’t say what was responsible for the change, Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser noted that “These preliminary figures are encouraging and reflect NHTSA’s close collaboration with state and local partners, especially law enforcement, to improve safety on our roads.” However, he contends 17,140 deaths are far too many and they “remain focused on reducing traffic fatalities even further.”
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