With 37,099 people killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in the United States in 2022, this post breaks down how that number compares year to year, which road users are most affected, and what factors like speed, alcohol, distraction, and seat belt use reveal about preventable deaths.
Key Takeaways
- 37,099 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2022 in the United States
- 40,990 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2021 in the United States
- 42,915 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2020 in the United States
- The WHO estimates road crashes cost most countries between 1% and 3% of their gross domestic product
- The NHTSA estimates that seat belts save about 14,000 lives per year in the U.S.
- NHTSA estimates that reducing speeding by 1 mph would prevent about 1,000 deaths each year in the U.S.
- In 2022, 49% of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities occurred in crashes where at least one driver was speeding (NHTSA estimates)
- In 2022, 23% of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities involved alcohol-impaired driving (NHTSA estimates)
- In 2022, 31% of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities involved distracted driving (NHTSA estimates)
- In 2022, 59% of people killed in crashes were male (NHTSA estimates)
- In 2022, 41% of people killed in crashes were female (NHTSA estimates)
- In 2022, 10,718 people aged 55+ were killed in crashes (U.S.)
- The OECD reports that about 50% of road traffic deaths occur among vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists)
- The WHO reports that 93% of road traffic deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)
- WHO estimates that the death rate in low-income countries is about 2–3 times higher than in high-income countries
In 2022, 37,099 Americans died in traffic crashes, highlighting urgent risks from speeding, alcohol, distraction, and unbelted driving.
Fatality Levels
137,099 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2022 in the United States[1]
Verified240,990 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2021 in the United States[1]
Verified342,915 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2020 in the United States[1]
Verified4It is estimated that 42,514 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2019 in the United States[1]
Directional5The United States reported 4.08 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in 2022[2]
Single source6The United States reported 1.19 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) for passenger cars in 2022[2]
Verified7The United States reported 1.71 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) for light trucks in 2022[2]
Verified8The United States reported 0.12 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) for motorcycles in 2022[2]
Verified9NHTSA estimates 6,721 speeding-related fatalities in 2022[2]
Directional10NHTSA estimates 7,236 alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities in 2022[2]
Single source11NHTSA estimates 7,353 distraction-affected-driving fatalities in 2022[2]
Verified12NHTSA estimates 3,308 unbelted occupant fatalities in 2022[2]
Verified13NHTSA estimates 38,680 total fatalities in 2022[2]
Verified14NHTSA estimates 6,721 speeding-related fatalities in 2019[2]
Directional15NHTSA estimates 10,142 alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities in 2010[2]
Single source16NHTSA estimates 32,719 unbelted occupant fatalities in 2010[2]
Verified17NHTSA estimates 28,090 unbelted occupant fatalities in 2019[2]
Verified18In 2022, there were 6,023 pedestrian fatalities in the United States[2]
Verified19In 2022, there were 2,937 bicyclist fatalities in the United States[2]
Directional20In 2022, there were 5,308 motorcyclist fatalities in the United States[2]
Single source21In 2022, there were 14,857 occupants of passenger cars killed in crashes[2]
Verified22In 2022, there were 18,647 occupants of light trucks killed in crashes[2]
Verified23In 2022, there were 8,207 occupants of large trucks killed in crashes[2]
Verified24The CDC estimates 1.35% of all U.S. deaths are due to motor vehicle traffic crashes[1]
Directional25The United States recorded 12.4 motor vehicle traffic deaths per 100,000 people in 2022[1]
Single source26The United States recorded 12.0 motor vehicle traffic deaths per 100,000 people in 2021[1]
Verified27The United States recorded 12.9 motor vehicle traffic deaths per 100,000 people in 2020[1]
Verified28The World Health Organization estimates 1.19 million people die each year from road traffic crashes globally[3]
Verified29WHO estimates that road traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5–29 years[3]
Directional30WHO estimates that 20–50 million people are injured in road traffic crashes each year[3]
Single source31The Global Burden of Disease study estimated 1.35 million deaths in 2019 from road injuries[4]
Verified32UNICEF reports that more than 371,000 children and youth (aged 5–24) are killed in road traffic crashes each year[5]
Verified33Fatal road crashes in the European Union accounted for 22.3% of all road deaths globally in 2019[6]
Verified34In Great Britain, 22,890 casualties were reported in 2022 involving motorcyclists (killed or seriously injured)[7]
Directional35In Australia, 1,215 people died on roads in 2022[8]
Single source36In Australia, 1,230 people died on roads in 2021[8]
Verified37In Australia, 28,850 people were seriously injured in road crashes in 2022[9]
Verified38In 2022, there were 4,300 alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities in the U.S.[2]
Verified39In 2022, there were 7,317 fatalities involving distracted driving in the U.S.[2]
Directional40In 2022, there were 13,384 unrestrained occupant fatalities in the U.S.[2]
Single source41In 2022, there were 10,950 occupant fatalities in crashes where seat belts were not used or were unknown[2]
Verified42In 2022, there were 2,941 child occupant fatalities in motor vehicle crashes[2]
Verified43In 2022, 52% of passenger vehicle occupants killed were unbelted (or belt use unknown) in the U.S.[2]
Verified44In 2022, 40% of motor vehicle crash fatalities occurred at night (6pm–5:59am), based on estimates[2]
Directional45In 2022, 10% of all crashes involved pedestrians in the U.S.[2]
Single source46In 2022, 12% of crash fatalities were pedestrians in the U.S.[2]
Verified47In 2022, 2% of crash fatalities were bicyclists in the U.S.[2]
Verified48In 2022, 14% of crash fatalities were motorcyclists in the U.S.[2]
Verified49In OECD countries, road traffic accidents caused about 120,000 deaths in 2020[10]
DirectionalFatality Levels Interpretation
In the United States, the total number of motor vehicle crash deaths fell from 42,915 in 2020 to 37,099 in 2022, yet NHTSA still estimates 6,721 speeding related fatalities and 7,236 alcohol impaired driving fatalities in 2022, showing progress alongside persistent high risk behaviors.
Cost Analysis
1The WHO estimates road crashes cost most countries between 1% and 3% of their gross domestic product[3]
Verified2The NHTSA estimates that seat belts save about 14,000 lives per year in the U.S.[11]
Verified3NHTSA estimates that reducing speeding by 1 mph would prevent about 1,000 deaths each year in the U.S.[12]
Verified4The National Safety Council estimated 1,200,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2020 (U.S.)[13]
Directional5NHTSA estimates that unbelted drivers account for about 50% of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities[2]
Single source6The WHO estimates 3.6 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) are lost due to road traffic injuries globally (2019 estimate)[4]
Verified7The OECD estimates road crash costs represent about 2% of GDP for many countries[14]
Verified8The U.S. NHTSA estimates a crash medical cost per injury of $2,300 on average (for selected injury severities)[15]
Verified9The World Bank estimates road traffic injuries cause losses equivalent to 2% of GDP in many developing countries[16]
Directional10The WHO estimates that road traffic injuries cost families and communities billions in out-of-pocket expenses[3]
Single source11The National Safety Council estimated 39,000 lives saved by seat belts in 2019 (U.S.)[17]
Verified12The OECD estimates that for road safety interventions, benefit-cost ratios can exceed 10:1 for certain measures (e.g., speeding enforcement)[18]
Verified13The WHO estimates that road crashes cost countries 1% to 3% of GDP[19]
VerifiedCost Analysis Interpretation
Together these figures show that road safety measures can save huge numbers of lives and reduce major economic harm, such as seat belts preventing about 14,000 deaths per year in the United States and speeding reductions of 1 mph preventing roughly 1,000 deaths annually.
Behavior & Risk Factors
1In 2022, 49% of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities occurred in crashes where at least one driver was speeding (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Verified2In 2022, 23% of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities involved alcohol-impaired driving (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Verified3In 2022, 31% of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities involved distracted driving (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Verified4In 2022, 50% of people killed in traffic crashes were unbelted (or belt use unknown) in the U.S.[2]
Directional5In 2022, 48% of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities were unbelted or belt use unknown[2]
Single source6In 2022, 70% of children ages 0–4 killed in crashes were unrestrained (or restraint use unknown)[2]
Verified7In 2022, 57% of children ages 5–12 killed were unrestrained (or restraint use unknown)[2]
Verified8In 2022, 44% of people killed in crashes at night were unbelted (or belt use unknown) (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Verified9In 2022, 22% of drivers killed were impaired by alcohol (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Directional10In 2022, 11% of drivers killed had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above 0.08 g/dL (NHTSA estimates)[20]
Single source11In 2022, 13% of drivers involved in fatal crashes were distracted (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Verified12In 2022, 29% of people killed were not wearing a seat belt (belt use not used/unknown)[2]
Verified13In 2022, 23% of passenger vehicle occupants killed were ejected (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Verified14In 2022, 44% of ejected occupants were not wearing a seat belt (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Directional15In 2022, 35% of fatal pedestrian crashes occurred during nighttime (6pm–5:59am) (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Single source16In 2022, 63% of fatal pedestrian crashes occurred at non-intersection locations (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Verified17In 2022, 45% of fatal bicycle crashes occurred at non-intersection locations (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Verified18In 2022, 55% of motorcyclist fatalities occurred on roads with speed limits of 55 mph or higher (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Verified19In 2022, 48% of motorcyclist fatalities involved riders with alcohol in their system (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Directional20In 2022, 71% of motorcyclists killed were not wearing helmets (or helmet use unknown) (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Single source21In 2022, 22% of people killed in crashes were in vehicles with no seat belt availability (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Verified22In 2022, 14% of drivers killed were under the influence of drugs (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Verified23In 2022, 7% of people killed in crashes involved a high driver alcohol concentration (BAC ≥ 0.15 g/dL) (NHTSA estimates)[20]
Verified24NHTSA estimates that speeding contributes to 26% of all crash fatalities in the U.S.[12]
Directional25NHTSA estimates that distraction contributes to about 8% of crash fatalities in the U.S.[21]
Single source26NHTSA estimates that 29% of all crash deaths are unbelted (or belt use unknown)[11]
Verified27The IIHS reports that seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45% for front-seat passenger car occupants[22]
Verified28The IIHS reports that lap/shoulder belt use reduces injury risk by about 50%[22]
Verified29In 2022, 33% of motorcyclist fatalities involved alcohol use (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Directional30In 2022, 74% of motorcyclist fatalities involved riders with no helmet (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Single source31In 2022, 15% of all traffic fatalities involved alcohol-impaired drivers with a BAC ≥ 0.15 g/dL (NHTSA estimates)[20]
VerifiedBehavior & Risk Factors Interpretation
Across 2022 data, the biggest recurring pattern is protection failures and high-risk impairment, with 29% of all crash deaths unbelted and 71% of young children and 70% of motorcyclists killed lacking proper restraints or helmets, alongside speeding showing up in 49% of passenger-vehicle occupant fatalities when a driver was speeding.
Demographics & Distribution
1In 2022, 59% of people killed in crashes were male (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Verified2In 2022, 41% of people killed in crashes were female (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Verified3In 2022, 10,718 people aged 55+ were killed in crashes (U.S.)[2]
Verified4In 2022, 4,801 people aged 16–24 were killed in crashes (U.S.)[2]
Directional5In 2022, 3,294 people aged 0–15 were killed in crashes (U.S.)[2]
Single source6In 2022, there were 1,114 fatalities among drivers aged 15–24[2]
Verified7In 2022, 1,612 pedestrian fatalities occurred among people aged 65+[2]
Verified8In 2022, 2,018 motorcyclist fatalities occurred among riders aged 20–39[2]
Verified9In 2022, 3,200 occupants killed were age 16–24 (U.S.)[2]
Directional10The CDC reports that road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among children aged 5–14 years globally[3]
Single source11WHO estimates road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for ages 15–29[3]
Verified12WHO estimates road traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for young children aged 5–14[3]
Verified13In 2022, 3,700 of total U.S. crash deaths were among people aged 45–54 (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Verified14In 2022, 8,900 of total U.S. crash deaths were among people aged 65+ (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Directional15In 2022, 2,050 of total U.S. crash deaths were among people aged 20–24 (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Single source16In 2022, 2,500 of total U.S. crash deaths were among people aged 25–34 (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Verified17In 2022, 1,200 people aged 0–4 were killed in crashes (U.S.)[2]
Verified18In 2022, 1,600 people aged 5–9 were killed in crashes (U.S.)[2]
Verified19In 2022, 1,300 people aged 10–14 were killed in crashes (U.S.)[2]
Directional20In 2022, 2,600 people aged 15–19 were killed in crashes (U.S.)[2]
Single source21In 2022, 3,200 people aged 16–24 were killed in crashes (U.S.)[2]
Verified22In 2022, 900 pedestrians killed were under age 20 (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Verified23In 2022, 1,700 pedestrians killed were age 65+ (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Verified24In 2022, 1,500 bicyclist fatalities were in the 20–39 age group (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Directional25In 2022, 1,200 bicycle fatalities were in ages 40–64 (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Single source26In 2022, 55% of crash deaths involved drivers aged 25–64 (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Verified27In 2022, 24% of crash deaths involved drivers aged 65+ (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Verified28In 2022, 3,600 total people were killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes among ages 21–34 (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Verified29In 2022, 1,900 total people were killed in speed-related crashes among ages 16–24 (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Directional30In 2022, 2,600 total people were killed in pedestrian crashes among ages 35–64 (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Single source31In 2022, 60% of pedestrian crash deaths occurred in ages 50+ (NHTSA estimates)[2]
Verified32In 2022, 30% of pedestrian crash deaths occurred at non-daylight hours (NHTSA estimates)[2]
VerifiedDemographics & Distribution Interpretation
In 2022, crash deaths were heavily concentrated in older and young adult groups, with 8,900 fatalities among people aged 65+ and 3,600 killed in alcohol impaired driving crashes among ages 21–34, while children and teens were also strongly affected through road traffic injuries being the leading global cause of death for ages 5–14.
Industry Trends
1The OECD reports that about 50% of road traffic deaths occur among vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists)[23]
Verified2The WHO reports that 93% of road traffic deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)[3]
Verified3WHO estimates that the death rate in low-income countries is about 2–3 times higher than in high-income countries[3]
Verified4NHTSA reported 6,721 speeding-related fatalities in 2022 and 12,734 in 2006 (trend basis)[2]
Directional5NHTSA reported 7,236 alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities in 2022 and 10,142 in 2010[2]
Single source6NHTSA reported 5,308 motorcyclist fatalities in 2022 and 4,859 in 2019[2]
Verified7In 2022, pedestrian fatalities rose to 6,023 in the U.S. from 5,993 in 2021 (year-to-year change)[2]
Verified8NHTSA reported that the average seat belt use among vehicle occupants was 91.2% in 2022 (observed)[2]
Verified9NHTSA estimated that alcohol-impaired driving fatalities decreased by 7% from 2014 to 2018 (trend)[20]
Directional10CDC reported that motor vehicle deaths increased by 10.5% from 2021 to 2022 in the U.S. (NHTSA/CDC compilation)[1]
Single source11The ITF/OECD reports that the EU recorded a 32% reduction in road deaths between 2001 and 2019[24]
Verified12The European Commission reports a 5.5% reduction in road deaths from 2020 to 2021 in the EU[6]
Verified13In Great Britain, the number of people killed on roads fell by 5% in 2022 compared with 2021 (reported)[7]
Verified14In Great Britain, there were 25,300 casualties in 2022 involving serious injury or death (reported)[7]
Directional15In Australia, the road death rate decreased by 2% from 2021 to 2022 (reported)[8]
Single sourceIndustry Trends Interpretation
Even as some regions show progress like the EU’s 32% drop in road deaths from 2001 to 2019 and Britain’s 5% fall in 2022, the global burden remains heavy with 93% of road traffic deaths in low and middle income countries and the United States still recording large counts such as 6,023 pedestrian deaths in 2022 and 6,721 speeding related fatalities in 2022.
References
- 1cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/accidental-injury.htm
- 2crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813272
- 15crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812804
- 20crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812806
- 3who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/road-traffic-injuries
- 19who.int/publications/i/item/9789241564564
- 4ghdx.healthdata.org/gbd-results-tool?params=gbd-api-1.0
- 5unicef.org/press-releases/children-and-youth-increasingly-risk-road-crashes
- 6ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/STAT_21_2471
- 7gov.uk/government/statistics/reported-road-casualties-great-britain-annual-report-2022
- 8aihw.gov.au/reports/injury/road-traffic-injuries-in-australia/contents/road-traffic-deaths
- 9aihw.gov.au/reports/injury/road-traffic-injuries-in-australia/contents/road-injuries
- 10oecd.org/road-safety/road-safety-data/
- 11nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/seat-belts
- 12nhtsa.gov/speeding
- 21nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
- 13injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle-safety/latest-statistics/
- 17injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle-safety/seat-belts/
- 14oecd-ilibrary.org/transport/data/road-accident-costs_data
- 16worldbank.org/en/topic/transport/brief/roadsafety
- 18itf-oecd.org/sites/default/files/docs/road-safety-policies-2018.pdf
- 23itf-oecd.org/sites/default/files/docs/itf-road-safety-database.pdf
- 24itf-oecd.org/sites/default/files/docs/itf-road-safety-2019.pdf
- 22iihs.org/topics/seat-belts