According to the NHTSA, fatalities have decreased in 32 states for the fourth quarter in a row.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported a decline in traffic fatalities in the first quarter (Q1) of 2023, which shows a fourth straight quarterly decline after seven consecutive quarters of increasing annual fatalities starting in Q3 2020.
The data showed that about 9,330 people died in traffic crashes in Q1 2023, a 3.3% decrease compared to 9,645 fatalities during the same period in 2022.
The upward trend in traffic fatalities in the US started during the COVID-19 pandemic, which the NHTSA said marked increases in traffic-related deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT). The increase trend continued into 2021 and 2022, but the NHTSA reported declining traffic fatalities in Q3 2022.
The NHTSA also shared that fatalities have decreased in 32 states, while 18 states and Puerto Rico have projected increases in traffic-related deaths in Q1 2023. Meanwhile, the data concerning the District of Columbia remained unchanged.
The decrease comes even though the VMT average increased overall by 2.6%, meaning people are driving further, but fatalities are becoming less frequent. The NHTSA's data stated that the estimated fatality rate for Q1 2023 decreased to 1.24 fatalities per 100 million VMT, down from 1.32 during Q1 2022.
Mississippi leads the top five states with the highest fatality rates in Q1 2023, with 1.99 per million miles traveled, while West Virginia ranks second with 1.76. Arkansas recorded the third-highest fatality rate with 1.73, ahead of South Carolina (1.70) and Arizona (1.69).
US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the continued decrease in traffic fatalities, as reported in Q1 2023, is an “encouraging sign.” Still, he admitted that there is more work needed to be done.
The NHTSA is pushing carmakers to include Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) as standard on passenger cars sold in the US and heavy vehicles with a gross weight of over 10,000 pounds.
It will also collect more crash data when automated and advanced driver assistance systems are engaged. These systems are often found to be used inappropriately, with many drivers trusting these systems more than they should. However, cars with these systems have still proven themselves to be advantageous in minimizing crashes. Recent stats from Indurify revealed a list of the most accident-prone vehicles in the US, with the Audi S4 emerging on top.
Keyword: Traffic Fatalities In America Continue To Decrease