AASHTO Journal - NHTSA: Roadway Deaths Drop in First Half of 2025

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said its initial projections indicate U.S. roadway deaths are down 8.2 percent during the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

[Above photo by Colorado DOT]

The agency said its preliminary estimates indicate that 17,140 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes from January 2025 through June 2025, down from 18,680 fatalities during the same period in 2024.

The decline in fatalities occurred even as vehicle miles traveled or VMT increased by 12.1 billion miles during the first half of 2025.

As a result, the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled dropped to 1.06 in the first half of 2025, down 8.6 percent from 1.16 in the first half of 2024. This represents the lowest mid-year fatality rate since 2014, NHTSA said.

“These preliminary figures are encouraging and reflect NHTSA’s close collaboration with state and local partners, especially law enforcement, to improve safety on our roads,” noted NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser in a statement. “But even as we see progress, these numbers are far too high, and we remain focused on reducing traffic fatalities even further.”

Additionally, 38 states – along with the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico – are projected to see decreases in traffic deaths. Only 11 states are projected to see increases, while one state remains unchanged, NHTSA noted.

Across the country, state departments of transportation continue to engage in a variety of efforts aimed at reducing traffic fatalities.

For example, the Colorado Department of Transportation recently produced a new video series highlighting the costs and consequences of being charged with driving under the influence or DUI.

That series, entitled “The Long Road: Navigating a DUI Arrest,” covers the six steps in the DUI process: arrest, court sentencing (including jail time), license reinstatement, ignition interlock installation, victim impact panels, and alcohol education and treatment programs.

In August, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority launched a safety campaign entitled “Never Skip the Click” aimed at increasing seat belt use statewide, especially among young men and rural drivers, by reshaping the culture around seat belt safety.

Also in August, the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) launched a road education and safety curriculum for the 2025-2026 school year called “Street Smart” – the first program of its kind in the state.

The goal of the program is to instill proper road safety habits in students before they begin operating a vehicle, then to reinforce these skills through their early driving years.

Initially, “Street Smart” will be taught to 6th through 8th grade students in Arkansas, the agency said – with future plans to build that curriculum into a kindergarten through 12th grade road safety education program.