Topline
More than 38,600 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the United States last year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated in a report released Thursday, the highest number of fatalities in more than a decade, even though Americans drove far less in 2020 due to pandemic-related lockdowns.
Despite Americans logging 430 billion fewer miles, fatalities increased by more than 7%.
Key Facts
Traffic deaths increased by 7.2%, with roughly 2,600 more fatalities than in 2019.
The higher death toll comes despite the fact that preliminary data from the Federal Highway Administration shows vehicle miles traveled in 2020 decreased 13.2% to 430.2 billion miles.
The fatality rate rose to 1.37 deaths per 100 million miles traveled last year, the highest since 2006.
The most dramatic climb took place in the second half of 2020, when restrictions were loosened, with the number of traffic-related deaths rising by more than 13% compared to the same time frame in the prior year.
Key Background:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the three behaviors primarily responsible for the spike were impaired driving, speeding and failure to wear a seat belt. Earlier this year, in an open letter to the driving public, NHTSA asserted that those who drove during the pandemic “took more risks and had more fatal crashes.” The agency pointed to preliminary data indicating 65% percent of drivers hospitalized due to a severe crash tested positive for drugs or alcohol and cited a report which found a 22% increase in speeding in certain cities. Fatalities resulting from occupants being ejected from their vehicles rose by 20% in 2020, indicating a reduced use of seat belts.
Tangent:
President Joe Biden’s American Jobs Plan includes $20 billion to improve road safety, including a new Safe Streets for All program to fund state and local “vision zero” plans. Dr. Steven Cliff, NHTSA’s acting administrator, called that funding “vital,” as it will improve existing safety programs and allow for the creation of new ones. “We intend to use all available tools to reverse these trends and reduce traffic fatalities and injuries,” said Cliff in a press release.
Big Number:
5,015: That’s the estimated number of motorcyclists killed in crashes in 2020, a 9% increase compared to the prior year.
Further Reading:
2020 Fatality Data Show Increased Traffic Fatalities During Pandemic (NHTSA)
