Traffic deaths in the U.S. fell by 3.6% last year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Despite this decrease, nearly 41,000 people lost their lives in road accidents in 2022. This marks the second consecutive year of declining fatalities, with a total of 42,514 deaths reported in 2021. The agency attributes this positive trend to a decline in traffic deaths during the fourth quarter, continuing a seven-quarter streak that began in the second quarter of 2021. Additionally, Americans drove 67.5 billion more miles in 2022 compared to the previous year, reflecting a 2.1% increase in vehicle miles traveled.
While the reduction in traffic deaths is a step in the right direction, authorities emphasize that the number of fatalities remains alarmingly high. Sophie Shulman, the Deputy Administrator of NHTSA, cited distracted driving as a contributing factor to the high number of deaths on the road. In 2022, an estimated 3,308 people were killed in crashes involving distracted drivers, with an additional 289,310 individuals sustaining injuries. Notably, almost 20% of those killed in distracted driving accidents were pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-vehicle occupants. To address this issue, NHTSA launched a campaign called “Put the Phone Away or Pay,” aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. The agency plans to implement an advertising campaign and increase law enforcement efforts to crack down on this behavior.
In 2021, traffic deaths experienced a significant spike, with a 10.5% increase over 2020 figures as people began driving more following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. This surge in fatalities marked the highest number since 2005 and the largest percentage increase since 1975. Authorities attributed the rise in deaths to factors such as speeding, reckless behavior, and distracted driving. Part of the increase in crash deaths was also attributed to the increased vehicle miles traveled as the pandemic subsided. NHTSA reported a 2.2% increase in the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2021, reaching 1.37. Despite these challenges, efforts to reduce traffic fatalities have shown promise with consecutive quarterly declines in deaths and a decrease in the death rate per 100 million miles driven in 2022.
To address the ongoing issue of distracted driving, NHTSA’s “Put the Phone Away or Pay” campaign aims to educate the public about the dangers of using mobile devices while driving. The agency plans to launch an advertising campaign and increase enforcement efforts to discourage distracted driving behaviors. With a focus on reducing distractions on the road, NHTSA hopes to further decrease the number of deaths and injuries caused by preventable accidents. As the nation continues to navigate road safety challenges, initiatives like this campaign play a crucial role in promoting responsible driving habits and ultimately saving lives on American roadways.
