Recent reports indicate that traffic fatalities are on the decline in the United States. For example, in the first quarter of 2023, there were 8,935 deaths on the road. In the first quarter of 2024, authorities estimate that there were 8,650 fatalities. This means that the total number dropped by around 3.2% – a percentage that will grow even more important if that trend holds for the rest of the year.
There is some evidence that it will. For the last eight quarters, fatalities have dropped. This started happening in 2022 and continues even today. Why is this happening?
The rise in fatality rates
The downward trend is actually the norm, and it has been going on for decades. Though there are always exceptions and years that are outliers, road fatalities have been dropping since around the 1970s.
That changed in 2019 and 2020, however. Traffic levels declined, but the fatality rates actually went up. Even the totals increased in many areas. It was clear the roads were getting more dangerous.
One theory that researchers have is that lower traffic volumes result in higher average speeds. Having more cars on the road actually slows people down, reducing the odds that they will pass away from their injuries if they get involved in a crash. That could be why the trend has now reversed. As people are traveling more, the lower speeds are actually working to keep them safe.
That being said, there are still likely to be more than 40,000 traffic fatalities almost every year in the U.S. Those who have lost loved ones need to know exactly what legal steps to take.
