NHTSA Estimates Traffic Fatalities Reached A 16-Year High In 2021

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is giving us an early estimate to the number of traffic fatalities in 2021 and the numbers are not looking good. For 2021, the NHTSA projects that an estimated 42,915 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes. This is a 10.5% increase from the 38,824 fatalities in 2020. These estimates are the highest number of fatalities since 2005 and also the largest annual percentage increase in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System's history.

2021 Estimates

For the full-year estimates of 2021, the NHTSA provided a look at state-level estimates and as in 2020, all 10 NHTSA regions are estimated to see increases in fatalities. Comparing the numbers to 2020, 44 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are all projected to have had an increase in traffic deaths. The Federal Highway Administration shows preliminary data that vehicle miles traveled in 2021 increased by about 325 billion miles, or about 11.2%, as compared to 2020. Many states were in lockdown for 2020, so that has to help contribute to the increase in 2021.

Traffic Fatalities - A Breakdown

The NHTSA also broke things down into more specific categories, which the following saw large increases in 2021, as compared to 2020:

• Fatalities in multi-vehicle crashes up 16% 
• Fatalities on urban roads up 16% 
• Fatalities among drivers 65 and older up 14% 
• Pedestrian fatalities up 13% 
• Fatalities in crashes involving at least one large truck up 13% 
• Daytime fatalities up 11% 
• Motorcyclist fatalities up 9% 
• Bicyclist fatalities up 5% 
• Fatalities in speeding-related crashes up 5% 
• Fatalities in police-reported, alcohol-involvement crashes up 5% 

Steps To Fix The Issue

While Coastline Academy is working every day to eradicate car crashes by helping to teach smart and responsible drivers, it looks like the government is taking steps also. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said, “We face a crisis on America’s roadways that we must address together. With our National Roadway Safety Strategy and the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are taking critical steps to help reverse this devastating trend and save lives on our roadways.”

For the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, it places a strong emphasis on improving safety and includes the new Safe Streets and Roads for All program, which opened its first round of applications just this week. The program is a first of its kind and will invest up to $6 billion over five years to fund local efforts to reduce roadway crashes and fatalities. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law also advances Complete Streets policies and standards; requires updates to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which defines speeds, lane markings, traffic lights and more on most roads in the country; and sharply increases funding for the Highway Safety Improvement Program, which helps states adopt data-driven approaches to making roads safer. 

While the numbers are discouraging, if we all work together then we can lower these numbers and one day eradicate car crashes all together!

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly support staff. If you want to start your driver's license journey with Coastline Academy, make sure to sign up for Drivers Ed and book your driving lesson today.