NHTSA Says Traffic Fatalities Fell 4.4% in the First Nine Months of 2024

Early estimates of U.S. traffic fatalities for the first nine months of 2024 show fatalities declined for the 10th straight quarter despite more miles being driven.

An estimated 29,135 people died in traffic crashes during that period, representing a decrease of 4.4% compared with 30,490 fatalities projected for the first nine months of 2023, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Preliminary data from the Federal Highway Administration show that vehicle miles traveled in the first nine months of 2024 rose by 19.7 billion miles (an 0.8% increase) from the same time last year.

More miles driven combined with fewer traffic deaths resulted in a fatality rate of 1.18 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, down from the projected rate of 1.24 fatalities per 100 million VMT in the first nine months of 2023, according to NHTSA, which is also estimating a decrease in fatalities in 35 states and Puerto Rico.

In November, NHTSA published significant updates to its consumer-facing 5-Star Safety Ratings program, action the agency said will improve safety on the nation’s roads by incorporating new advanced driver assistance technologies, adding a crashworthiness pedestrian protection program, and setting a roadmap for future program changes over the next 10 years.