The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released highway crash fatality data for 2018, showing a 2.4 percent decline in overall fatalities, the second consecutive year of reduced crash fatalities.
The data, compiled by NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, shows that highway fatalities decreased in 2018 with 913 fewer fatalities, down to 36,560 people from 37,473 people in 2017. The fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled also decreased by 3.4 percent (from 1.17 in 2017 to 1.13 in 2018), the lowest fatality rate since 2014.
“This is encouraging news, but still far too many perished or were injured, and nearly all crashes are preventable, so much more work remains to be done to make America’s roads safer for everyone,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao said.
Other key findings:
- Fatalities among children (14 and younger) declined 10.3 percent
- Alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities declined 3.6 percent
- Speeding-related fatalities declined 5.7 percent
- Motorcyclist fatalities declined 4.7 percent
NHTSA also released initial estimates for the first half of 2019, which suggest that the overall positive trend may be continuing.
The estimated number of fatalities in the first half of 2019 declined by 3.4 percent from the same period in 2018, with 589 fewer fatalities over that time. That translates to an estimated first-half 2019 fatality rate of 1.06, the lowest first-half level since 2015.
“We are pleased to see a 2.4 percent drop in fatalities in 2018 and an estimated 3.4 percent dip in early 2019,” said Jonathan Adkins, GHSA Executive Director. “A decline in 2019 would mark three straight years of fewer fatalities despite a strong economy, which typically correlates with increased traffic deaths. However, the only acceptable level of deaths is zero, and we will not rest until that is achieved.”
Click here to view the 2018 fatal motor vehicle crashes overview research note. Click here to view the 2019 six-month estimate data.
