Although the number of fatalities on American roads reduced marginally in 2022, 42,795 deaths were still alarming, according to federal authorities.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that deaths were down 0.3% from the 42,939 fatalities in 2021.
For the third consecutive quarter, traffic fatalities decreased minimally. They're still not far off the 2021 figures, which were the most in 16 years.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated in a Thursday statement that the United States still faces a "national crisis of traffic deaths on our roadways" and emphasized that each individual has a part to play in "reversing" the upward trend in US traffic fatalities witnessed in recent years, according to ABC News.
The NHTSA falls under Buttigieg's department.
To lower the number of fatalities, the agency has developed a national safe systems plan, which includes more than $800 million in grants to assist communities with initiatives in high-crash regions, according to the NHTSA.
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US Traffic Accidents Still Up
Speeding and distracted or intoxicated driving are on the increase, according to data for 2021 released earlier this month by the NHTSA. At least 3,522 people lost their lives in accidents when at least one motorist was distracted, a 12% increase over the previous year's data.
To keep drivers engaged, the agency started a $5 million promotional campaign. According to agency representatives, police likely underreport these incidents.
The number of pedestrian deaths increased by 13%, while the number of cycling deaths increased by 2% during the year, per a report from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Unbelted passenger deaths increased by 8.1%, while accidents involving drunk drivers increased by 14 percent.
According to the agency, US traffic fatalities involving heavy vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds jumped 17%, while speeding-related fatalities increased by 7.9 percent, according to a story from KRQE news.
The NHTSA also indicated that the death rate per 100 million vehicle miles driven decreased marginally in 2022, from 1.37 to 1.35. After the COVID-19 pandemic ended, people drove about 1% more than in 2021.
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