Traffic deaths decreased by 12% from 2024 to 2025, according to estimates from the National Safety Council (NSC).
The NSC estimates there were 37,810 motor vehicle deaths in the US last year, compared to the revised count of 42,789 in 2024, even as overall miles driven increased by 0.9%.
Nine states and the District of Columbia experienced decreases of more than 15%: D.C. (-52%), California (-40%), Rhode Island (-29%), Iowa (-24%), Minnesota (-21%), Mississippi (-19%), New York (-18%), Connecticut (-16%), Maryland (-16%) and South Dakota (-16%).
Eight states saw increases: Hawaii (+25%), Wyoming (+12%) and Kansas (+10%), followed by New Mexico (+8%), Idaho (+7%), Louisiana (+5%), Vermont (+5%) and Colorado (+3%).
“The decrease in roadway fatalities is more than a number,” said Lorraine Martin, NSC CEO.
“It represents lives saved and families kept whole. It is also proof that our sustained efforts to make our roads safer are working. We must continue to work
together as advocates, policymakers and communities to build on this progress, until no one ever loses their life on our roads again.”
