2022 First Half Fatality Estimates Show Overall Increase on U.S. Roadways

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently issued a press release showing that early estimates show an overall increase in roadway deaths in the first half of 2022. The second quarter of 2022 projects the first decline since 2020 though.  

According to the NHTSA, an estimated 20,175 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in the first half of 2022.  

That number is up 0.5-percent from 20,070 projected for the first half of 2021. Even with that projection, they also said that the second quarter had the first estimated decline in fatalities after seven consecutive quarters of year-to-year increases in fatalities that began in the third quarter of 2020. The first half numbers are definitely concerning, but safety advocates are hopeful that the second quarter’s declining estimate could be a sign of things to come.  

Initial data also shows vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in the first half of 2022 increased by about 43.2 billion miles, a 2.8 percent increase from the same time last year. The fatality rate for the first half of 2022 decreased to 1.27 fatalities per million VMT, down from the projected rate of 1.30 fatalities per 100 million VMT in the first half of 2021.  

National Roadway Safety Strategy 

Earlier this year, the National Roadway Safety Strategy was released. The strategy is being funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) has already started working on various projects across the nation.  

National Roadway Safety Strategy Projects Underway 

  • In May, the Federal Highway Administration Issued Complete Streets guidance for states to develop complete streets using formula funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  
  • In March, the NHTSA issued a request for comment to proposed major upgrades to the New Car Assessment Program.  
  • In June, the NHTSA issued a final rulemaking on rear impact guards for trailers and semi trailers.  
  • USDOT issued a notice of funding opportunity for $1 billion for the first year of the new Safe Streets and Roads for All program.  

If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a car accident caused by a dangerous or distracted driver in San Diego or anywhere in Southern California, contact the skilled and proven team at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc. at 1.800.GO.HARRIS for a free case consultation today.