According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), traffic fatalities in the first half of 2024 dropped by 3.2% compared to the same period in 2023. An estimated 18,720 people died in crashes between January and June 2024, down from 19,330 in the previous year. This marks the ninth consecutive quarter of declining fatalities.
Despite more miles traveled—13.1 billion additional miles compared to 2023—the fatality rate decreased to 1.17 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT), compared to 1.21 in 2023. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressed cautious optimism, emphasizing the need for continued efforts to improve roadway safety, supported by initiatives like the National Roadway Safety Strategy.
Key efforts to combat road fatalities include new safety regulations, such as requiring automatic emergency braking in passenger vehicles by 2029, with similar rules in progress for heavy trucks. These efforts are part of a broader plan to reduce traffic deaths and improve road safety across the country.
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