Safety at FHWA

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released its latest projections for traffic fatalities in 2022, estimating that 42,514 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes. This represents a small decrease of about 1.7% as compared to 43,230 fatalities reported for 2021. The estimated fatality rate decreased to 1.33 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2022, down from 1.38 fatalities per 100 million VMT in 2021. 

NHTSA also released its latest projections for traffic fatalities in 2023, estimating more miles driven and lower fatality rates compared to 2022. The agency estimates that 40,990 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2023, a decrease of about 3.6% as compared to 42,514 fatalities reported to have occurred in 2022. The fourth quarter of 2023 represents the seventh consecutive quarterly decline in fatalities beginning with the second quarter of 2022. The estimated fatality rate for 2023 decreased to 1.26 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, down from the reported rate of 1.33 per 100 million VMT in 2022. Estimates also show that VMT in 2023 increased by about 67.5 billion miles, a 2.1% increase over 2022.

While there has been a small decrease in fatalities, the loss of life on our roads is a national crisis that is both unacceptable and preventable. In addition, traffic crashes disproportionately impact people who are Black, American Indian, or live in rural communities. Zero is the only acceptable number of deaths on the Nation’s roads, and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is committed to this ambitious and shared goal.

FHWA is collaboratively advancing the implementation of the National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS)—the U.S. DOT’s comprehensive plan to significantly reduce serious injuries and fatalities on America’s roads. This strategy embraces a Safe System Approach, which builds multiple layers of protection around road users and is based on the reality that although people make mistakes, those mistakes do not have to be fatal.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) provides an unprecedented level of resources to improve roadway safety. Recognizing the critical role that the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) plays as part of the Federal response to save lives on our Nation’s roads, BIL substantially increased HSIP funding for States. This increase will translate into additional road safety projects in communities throughout America. However, HSIP alone will not achieve the goal of zero fatalities on our Nation’s roads. Safety should be prioritized in all funding programs, not just HSIP. Every transportation project is an opportunity to improve safety.

The three FHWA units that lead the agency in achieving its strategic goals for roadway safety are the Office of Safety, the Office of Safety and Operations Research and Development, and the Resource Center Safety and Design Technical Service Team. These three units work together to execute three key strategies informed by the Safe System Approach: promote excellence in safety programs, research and advance effective safety solutions, and fortify partnerships and outreach.

Getting to zero will take a sustained, urgent, and lasting commitment from partners inside and outside the U.S. DOT. FHWA is committed to leading a coordinated effort with stakeholders across the public sector, the private sector, and the advocacy and research communities to eliminate fatalities on our Nation’s roads.