US Traffic Deaths Down 3.6 Percent in 2023 but Above Pre-Pandemic Levels

Published on April 2, 2024

WASHINGTON—U.S. traffic deaths fell by 3.6 percent in 2023, the second straight yearly decline, but are still significantly above pre-pandemic levels, auto safety regulators said on Monday. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that 40,990 people died in traffic crashes last year compared to 42,514 deaths in 2022. Fatalities are still much higher than the 36,355 people killed in 2019. At the time, traffic deaths had fallen for three straight years. The fatality rate in 2023 was higher than any pre-pandemic year since 2008. Total miles driven last year topped pre-pandemic levels for the first time. As U.S. roads became less crowded during the COVID-19 pandemic, some motorists perceived police as less likely to issue tickets, experts said, likely resulting in riskier behavior on the roads....

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