National Safety Council Estimates Over 44,000 Traffic Deaths in 2024

National trend obscures dramatic regional differences in roadway safety challenges

WASHINGTON, March 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Preliminary analysis from the National Safety Council shows an estimated 44,680 people died in preventable traffic crashes in the United States during 2024. This represents a slight decrease of less than 1% compared to 2023, with only 82 fewer deaths, indicating the crisis on U.S. roadways continues with little improvement.

"There is still critical work needed to make our roadways safer," said Mark Chung, executive vice president of safety leadership and advocacy at NSC. "Without significant changes, potential danger will continue to pose ongoing risks to the millions of Americans who rely on our roads daily. We must make new commitments to support safer conditions for all road users to ensure everyone makes it home safely." 

The impact of this crisis varies significantly across the country. Six states and the District of Columbia experienced increases of 10% or more in motor vehicle fatalities from the previous year: Maine (+38%), California (+34%), Alaska (+23%), Oklahoma (+21%), Minnesota (+14%), New Jersey (+12%) and District of Columbia (+11%). Meanwhile, ten states experienced decreases of 10% or more: Rhode Island (-26%), Wyoming (-25%), North Dakota (-20%), Vermont (-17%), Idaho (-14%), Kansas (-14%), Georgia (-12%), Florida (-11%) and Tennessee (-11%).

Risky driving behaviors remain major factors in roadway fatalities. Distracted driving continues to be a serious concern, and ahead of Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April, NSC urges all road users to remain fully focused on the task of driving. Other dangerous behaviors such as speeding and impaired driving must also be addressed through thoughtful infrastructure design and improvements, driver education and the implementation of life-saving technology solutions.

NSC continues to advocate for proven safety technologies including speed safety cameras, intelligent speed assistance, advanced impaired driving prevention technology and automatic emergency braking. These tools have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing crashes and saving lives.

The Safe System Approach offers a comprehensive framework that has successfully reduced fatalities in many countries. This approach takes a holistic view by focusing on five key elements: safer roads, safer speeds, safer vehicles, safer people and better post-crash care. Success depends on involvement from multiple stakeholders, including safety advocates, infrastructure firms, emergency responders and government leaders at all levels.

Reducing traffic deaths requires coordinated government action based on the Safe System Approach. NSC urges the U.S. Department of Transportation to develop a comprehensive action plan with clear milestones that addresses the disproportionate risks faced by vulnerable road users. This plan should include collaboration with the Departments of Labor, Justice, and Health and Human Services to protect roadway workers, enforce traffic laws, provide treatment for substance use disorders, and strengthen protections through targeted legislation, rulemaking and funding programs.

Motor vehicle fatality estimates are subject to slight fluctuations as data matures. NSC uses data from the National Center for Health Statistics, an arm of the CDC, so that deaths occurring within 100 days of the crash and on both public and private roadways – such as parking lots and driveways – are included in the Council's estimates. 

The Council has calculated traffic fatality estimates since 1913. Supplemental estimate information, including estimates for each state, can be found here.

About the National Safety Council
The National Safety Council is America's leading nonprofit safety advocate – and has been for over 110 years. As a mission-based organization, we work to eliminate the leading causes of preventable death and injury, focusing our efforts on the workplace and roadways. We create a culture of safety to not only keep people safer at work, but also beyond the workplace so they can live their fullest lives.

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SOURCE National Safety Council