Click for more.
The National Safety Council (NSC) said today that it estimates 37,810 motor vehicle crash deaths in the United States in 2025 – a 12% decrease from 2024, even as overall miles driven increased by 0.9%. NSC has calculated traffic fatality estimates since 1913.
“The decrease in roadway fatalities is more than a number. It represents lives saved and families kept whole,” said Lorraine Martin, NSC CEO. “It is also proof that our sustained efforts to make our roads safer are working. We must continue to work together as advocates, policymakers and communities to build on this progress, until no one ever loses their life on our roads again.”
Nine states and the District of Columbia experienced decreases of more than 15%: D.C. (-52%), California (-40%), Rhode Island (-29%), Iowa (-24%), Minnesota (-21%), Mississippi (-19%), New York (-18%), Connecticut (-16%), Maryland (-16%) and South Dakota (-16%).
Eight states saw increases: Hawaii (+25%), Wyoming (+12%) and Kansas (+10%) led that group with gains of 10% or more, followed by New Mexico (+8%), Idaho (+7%), Louisiana (+5%), Vermont (+5%) and Colorado (+3%).
Dangerous driving behaviors – including speeding, distracted and impaired driving – remain the leading cause of traffic deaths for all roadway users: pedestrians, cyclists, passengers and drivers. “Addressing these risks requires driver education, infrastructure improvements, better vehicle design, legislation and evidence-driven technology,” NSC said.
NSC said it “continues to advocate for proven safety technologies including speed safety cameras, intelligent speed assistance, telematics, advanced impaired driving prevention technology and automatic emergency braking. These tools have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing crashes and saving lives.
“Reducing traffic deaths requires coordinated government action based on the Safe System Approach. NSC urges the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to maintain its commitment to prioritize engagement with transportation stakeholders committed to reaching zero fatalities and serious injuries by 2050. This vision should also include collaboration with the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services, and allow for collaboration among technology providers, motor vehicle manufacturers and safety advocates. By aligning federal, state and local resources, requiring necessary vehicle technology and supporting vital research, DOT can make a lasting impact on roadway safety.
“The Safe System Approach is a holistic roadway safety model that has shown measurable success in eliminating preventable traffic fatalities. The approach focuses on five key elements: safer roads, safer speeds, safer vehicles, safer people and better post-crash care.
“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,” NSC said.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
National Safety Council – 12% Drop in 2025 Traffic Fatalities
Click for more.
The National Safety Council (NSC) said today that it estimates 37,810 motor vehicle crash deaths in the United States in 2025 – a 12% decrease from 2024, even as overall miles driven increased by 0.9%. NSC has calculated traffic fatality estimates since 1913.
“The decrease in roadway fatalities is more than a number. It represents lives saved and families kept whole,” said Lorraine Martin, NSC CEO. “It is also proof that our sustained efforts to make our roads safer are working. We must continue to work together as advocates, policymakers and communities to build on this progress, until no one ever loses their life on our roads again.”
Nine states and the District of Columbia experienced decreases of more than 15%: D.C. (-52%), California (-40%), Rhode Island (-29%), Iowa (-24%), Minnesota (-21%), Mississippi (-19%), New York (-18%), Connecticut (-16%), Maryland (-16%) and South Dakota (-16%).
Eight states saw increases: Hawaii (+25%), Wyoming (+12%) and Kansas (+10%) led that group with gains of 10% or more, followed by New Mexico (+8%), Idaho (+7%), Louisiana (+5%), Vermont (+5%) and Colorado (+3%).
Dangerous driving behaviors – including speeding, distracted and impaired driving – remain the leading cause of traffic deaths for all roadway users: pedestrians, cyclists, passengers and drivers. “Addressing these risks requires driver education, infrastructure improvements, better vehicle design, legislation and evidence-driven technology,” NSC said.
NSC said it “continues to advocate for proven safety technologies including speed safety cameras, intelligent speed assistance, telematics, advanced impaired driving prevention technology and automatic emergency braking. These tools have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing crashes and saving lives.
“Reducing traffic deaths requires coordinated government action based on the Safe System Approach. NSC urges the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to maintain its commitment to prioritize engagement with transportation stakeholders committed to reaching zero fatalities and serious injuries by 2050. This vision should also include collaboration with the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services, and allow for collaboration among technology providers, motor vehicle manufacturers and safety advocates. By aligning federal, state and local resources, requiring necessary vehicle technology and supporting vital research, DOT can make a lasting impact on roadway safety.
“The Safe System Approach is a holistic roadway safety model that has shown measurable success in eliminating preventable traffic fatalities. The approach focuses on five key elements: safer roads, safer speeds, safer vehicles, safer people and better post-crash care.
“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,” NSC said.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.