Traffic Fatalities Fall 3.2% in First Half of ’24, NHTSA Says

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports a 3.2% decline in traffic fatalities for the first half of 2024, with approximately 18,720 deaths compared to 19,330 in the same period of 2023. This represents nine consecutive quarters of decline in traffic fatalities, even as vehicle miles traveled increased by about 13.1 billion miles, or 0.8%. The fatality rate per 100 million miles traveled decreased from 1.21 to 1.17. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg acknowledged progress while calling the situation a crisis that requires ongoing efforts, highlighting the commitment to implementing safety measures through the Biden-Harris infrastructure package and the National Roadway Safety Strategy. NHTSA has introduced numerous safety initiatives, including mandates for automatic emergency braking systems in new vehicles by 2029. Traffic safety remains a critical issue. Despite the downward trend in fatalities, the overall numbers still reflect significant risk. Investment in infrastructure and vehicle safety technology is essential to sustaining and improving these trends. The industry must prioritize innovation in safety features and consider factors like driver behavior, road conditions, and vehicle technology to further mitigate risks on the road.