The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a significant decrease in motor vehicle crash fatalities in the first quarter of 2025, continuing a promising downward trend in roadway deaths.
According to newly released estimates, 8,055 people died in traffic crashes from January through March, representing a 6.3% decline compared to the same period in 2024. This marks the 12th consecutive quarter in which roadway deaths have declined.
The estimated fatality rate dropped to 1.05 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, down from 1.13 during the first quarter of 2024. The rate has not been this low since Q1 2019.
“While traffic fatalities remain far too high, we are encouraged to see such a decline and pledge to continue working to drive down these numbers even more,” said NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser. “NHTSA will continue to use all of its resources to educate Americans about dangerous driving behaviors and advance meaningful policies that will save lives.”
Simshauser added that the agency is working closely with law enforcement agencies nationwide to enforce traffic laws aimed at saving lives.
NHTSA also reported that 33 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico saw estimated declines in traffic fatalities during the first quarter. Meanwhile, vehicle miles traveled in the same timeframe remained largely flat, rising only slightly, by about 0.6%, to 4.3 billion miles.
The continued drop in fatalities comes as NHTSA expands its safety outreach and enforcement initiatives, part of a broader federal effort to achieve long-term reductions in roadway deaths.
