Traffic deaths in the United States increased in 2020 to their highest level in 13 years, despite a 13.2% decline in total miles driven, according to a preliminary report released Thursday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NHTSA’s data show significant increases in fatalities during the third and fourth quarters of 2020 as compared to the corresponding quarters of 2019. The federal safety agency will continue to carefully analyze various data sources to understand how the risks to vulnerable road users might have changed during 2020 and the contributing factors for the increase. 

An estimated 38,680 people died in traffic crashes, up 7.2% from 36,096 reported in 2019, and the most traffic deaths since 2007.

Preliminary data from the Federal Highway Administration reveals that vehicle miles traveled fell during 2020 to about 430.2 billion miles, or a decline of about 13.2% from 2019, the year before the coronavirus pandemic led to massive changes in work, commuting and consuming behavior of most Americans.

The preliminary report also showed that the rate of traffic deaths increased in 2020 to 1.37 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, up from 1.11 per 100 million VMT in 2019.

Impaired driving, speeding and failure to buckle a seat belt were the dominant factors behind the increase, according to NHTSA. Deaths involving unbelted drivers rose 15% from 2019.

“Safety is the top priority for the U.S. Department of Transportation. Loss of life is unacceptable on our nation’s roadways and everyone has a role to play in ensuring that they are safe. We intend to use all available tools to reverse these trends and reduce traffic fatalities and injuries,” said Dr. Steven Cliff, NHTSA’s acting administrator. “The President’s American Jobs Plan would provide an additional $19 billion in vital funding to improve road safety for all users, including people walking and biking.”

NHTSA’s report comes one week after the Governors Highway Safety Association report showed that pedestrian deaths jumped to 6,721 in 2020, or 4.8% higher than in 2019 in terms of deaths. But factoring in the 13% drop in miles driven, the rate of pedestrian fatalities rose 21%, or the largest annual increase on record.

The federal safety agency found that while collectively Americans drove fewer miles, drivers who remained on the road were engaged in more dangerous driving behavior, including speeding, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. And they drove faster.

Average speeds increased throughout 2020, and arrests for extreme speeds were more common.

It didn’t seem to matter where people drove.

Fatalities were up 11% in rural and local roads, and rose 15% on urban interstates.

Fatal crashes jumped 11% during night time hours and increased 9% on weekends.

In terms of drivers’ age, the biggest increase – 18% occurred in the 25 to 34 age group, higher than the 15% increase for drivers between age 16 and 24. Fatalities rose 14% in accidents involving drivers between 35 and 44 years old.