GITNUXREPORT 2026

Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics

U.S. traffic fatalities remain alarmingly high despite decades of safety improvements.

Written by Aisha Okonkwo·Edited by Felix Zimmermann·Fact-checked by Sarah Mitchell

Published Feb 13, 2026·Last verified Apr 1, 2026·Next review: Oct 2026

How We Build This Report

Primary Source Collection

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

Editorial Curation

Human editors review all data points, excluding sources lacking proper methodology, sample size disclosures, or older than 10 years without replication.

AI-Powered Verification

Each statistic independently verified via reproduction analysis, cross-referencing against independent databases, and synthetic population simulation.

Human Cross-Check

Final human editorial review of all AI-verified statistics. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are.

Statistics that could not be independently verified are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are elsewhere.

Our process →

Statistic 1

Distracted driving caused 3,142 deaths and thousands of injuries in 2021 U.S.

Statistic 2

Alcohol impairment was involved in 30% of all U.S. traffic fatalities in 2021.

Statistic 3

Speeding was a factor in 29% of U.S. fatal motor vehicle crashes in 2022.

Statistic 4

Distracted driving accounted for 8% of fatal crashes in the U.S. in 2021.

Statistic 5

Failure to yield right-of-way caused 24% of U.S. intersection crashes in 2021.

Statistic 6

In 2021, 49% of U.S. fatal crashes involved a male driver under 34.

Statistic 7

Rear-end crashes make up 29% of all U.S. police-reported crashes.

Statistic 8

Improper lane change caused 8% of U.S. fatal crashes in 2021.

Statistic 9

Globally, speeding contributes to one-third of road traffic deaths.

Statistic 10

Cell phone use increases crash risk by 4 times, per U.S. studies.

Statistic 11

DUI crashes in U.S. peak between 12 AM and 3 AM on weekends.

Statistic 12

Running red lights caused 929 U.S. deaths in 2021.

Statistic 13

Fatigue-related crashes: 13% of U.S. roadway departures.

Statistic 14

In 2021, 18% of U.S. fatal crashes involved large trucks.

Statistic 15

Wrong-way driving led to 668 U.S. fatalities in 2021, often alcohol-related.

Statistic 16

Over 90% of U.S. crashes due to human error, per NHTSA.

Statistic 17

Aggressive driving factors in 56% of fatal U.S. crashes.

Statistic 18

Intersection crashes: 40% of all U.S. crashes, 22% of fatalities.

Statistic 19

Texting while driving raises crash risk by 23 times.

Statistic 20

Alcohol-involved crashes: BAC 0.08+ in 67% of DUI deaths U.S. 2021.

Statistic 21

Roadway departure crashes: 53% of U.S. fatalities in 2022.

Statistic 22

Hit-and-run crashes caused 2,783 U.S. deaths in 2021.

Statistic 23

Speeding teens: 30% higher crash rate per mile.

Statistic 24

Mechanical failure: less than 2% of U.S. crashes.

Statistic 25

Weather-related crashes: 21% of U.S. total, 5% fatal.

Statistic 26

Rollover crashes: 35% of SUV fatalities vs. 10% sedans.

Statistic 27

Drowsy driving equivalent to 70,000 crashes yearly U.S.

Statistic 28

Failure to control vehicle: primary in 30% U.S. fatal single-vehicle crashes.

Statistic 29

In 2021, 62% of U.S. male drivers aged 21-24 involved in fatal crashes.

Statistic 30

In 2022, U.S. motor vehicle crashes cost $472 billion economically.

Statistic 31

Global economic loss from road crashes: 3% of GDP annually.

Statistic 32

U.S. crash medical costs: $44 billion in 2020.

Statistic 33

Insurance payouts for U.S. auto crashes: $165 billion yearly.

Statistic 34

Seat belts save U.S. $236 billion in medical costs over 40 years.

Statistic 35

Drunk driving costs U.S. $134 billion annually.

Statistic 36

Traffic deaths per 100k population declined 50% since 1980 in U.S.

Statistic 37

Vehicle miles traveled up 120% since 1980, deaths down 10%.

Statistic 38

Airbags saved $83 billion in U.S. crash costs since 1987.

Statistic 39

Speeding costs U.S. economy $40-50 billion yearly.

Statistic 40

U.S. congestion cost: $87 billion in 2023, linked to crashes.

Statistic 41

Helmet laws save U.S. $3 billion in medical costs yearly.

Statistic 42

Global road safety investment: $1 saves $8-10 in costs.

Statistic 43

U.S. truck crash costs: $91 billion in 2016.

Statistic 44

Lost productivity from U.S. MV deaths: $277 billion in 2020.

Statistic 45

Fatalities per billion miles dropped from 1.47 in 2002 to 1.33 in 2022.

Statistic 46

U.S. property damage from crashes: $258 billion annually.

Statistic 47

Vision Zero cities reduced fatalities 20-40%.

Statistic 48

Autonomous vehicles projected to reduce crashes 90%.

Statistic 49

U.S. teen crash costs: $34 billion yearly.

Statistic 50

Market loss from crashes: $242 billion U.S. 2020.

Statistic 51

Red light cameras reduce crashes 24%, save millions.

Statistic 52

U.S. fatality rate lowest in Northeast states.

Statistic 53

Global deaths stagnant since 2007 at 1.3 million.

Statistic 54

U.S. crashes down 5% in 2020 due to pandemic.

Statistic 55

Infrastructure investment yields 4:1 crash cost savings.

Statistic 56

U.S. average crash cost per fatality: $11.5 million.

Statistic 57

Distracted driving costs $260 billion U.S. yearly.

Statistic 58

Males account for 71% of U.S. driver deaths in crashes.

Statistic 59

Drivers aged 16-17 have crash rates 3 times higher than drivers over 20.

Statistic 60

In 2021, 12% of U.S. traffic fatalities were drivers 75+, despite 10% population.

Statistic 61

African Americans: 21% of pedestrian deaths vs. 13% population.

Statistic 62

Males comprise 70% of U.S. motorcyclist fatalities.

Statistic 63

Teens 16-19: 8% of drivers but 12% of fatal crash drivers.

Statistic 64

Hispanic population: 19% of U.S. fatalities, 18% population.

Statistic 65

Elderly drivers 80+: fatal crash rate 4x higher per mile.

Statistic 66

Young males 18-24: highest DUI arrest rate at 3,812 per 100,000.

Statistic 67

Women: 46% of U.S. passenger deaths but lower driver deaths.

Statistic 68

Children 0-3: rear-facing seats reduce death risk 72%.

Statistic 69

Urban areas: 52% of U.S. fatalities despite 27% miles.

Statistic 70

Native Americans: traffic death rate 36.5 per 100,000, 2x national.

Statistic 71

Drivers 85+: 25% higher fatal crash involvement per mile.

Statistic 72

Teens: 21% of drivers in fatal crashes with alcohol.

Statistic 73

Males 25-34: 26% of U.S. driver fatalities.

Statistic 74

Rural roads: 44% of U.S. fatalities but 30% VMT.

Statistic 75

Black males: highest pedestrian death rate at 2.85 per 100,000.

Statistic 76

Ages 35-44: 20% of speeding-related fatalities.

Statistic 77

Females under 25: crash rate 1.5x higher than older females.

Statistic 78

Pickup drivers: 80% male, higher rollover risk.

Statistic 79

Global: 77% of deaths male.

Statistic 80

U.S. low-income areas: 50% higher pedestrian crash risk.

Statistic 81

Drivers 20-29: 27% of all fatal crashes.

Statistic 82

Children 12-17: 9% of passenger deaths.

Statistic 83

Weekend nights: 40% of fatal crashes involve young males.

Statistic 84

Motorcyclists 40-44: peak age group for fatalities.

Statistic 85

In 2022, there were 42,795 motor vehicle crash deaths in the United States, marking a 0.3% increase from 2021.

Statistic 86

Motor vehicle crashes killed 1.19 million people globally in 2021, accounting for 2.2% of all deaths worldwide.

Statistic 87

The U.S. motor vehicle fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled was 1.33 in 2022.

Statistic 88

In 2021, 13,384 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in the U.S., representing 29% of all traffic fatalities.

Statistic 89

Pedestrian deaths reached 7,522 in the U.S. in 2022, a 1.6% increase from 2021.

Statistic 90

From 1975 to 2022, motor vehicle crash deaths per 100,000 population in the U.S. dropped 52%, from 25.9 to 12.4.

Statistic 91

In 2020, 38,680 people died in U.S. motor vehicle crashes, the lowest since 2001 but still high.

Statistic 92

Globally, road traffic deaths among children aged 5-14 numbered 34,000 in 2021.

Statistic 93

U.S. motor vehicle deaths increased by 16% from 2019 to 2022, totaling over 42,000 annually.

Statistic 94

In 2022, 5,932 motorcyclists died in U.S. crashes, up 2% from 2021.

Statistic 95

Large truck crash fatalities in the U.S. rose to 5,788 in 2021, a 5% increase.

Statistic 96

In 2021, 1,105 bicyclists were killed in U.S. traffic crashes.

Statistic 97

Teen drivers aged 16-19 were involved in 2,516 fatal crashes in the U.S. in 2021.

Statistic 98

In 2022, Florida had 4,252 motor vehicle fatalities, the highest in the U.S.

Statistic 99

Globally, 93% of road traffic deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries despite having 60% of vehicles.

Statistic 100

U.S. occupant deaths in passenger vehicles totaled 21,943 in 2021.

Statistic 101

From 2018 to 2021, U.S. highway deaths rose 22% to over 40,000.

Statistic 102

In 2021, 668 people died in U.S. crashes involving wrong-way driving.

Statistic 103

Motorcycle fatalities per 100,000 registered vehicles in the U.S. were 61.4 in 2021.

Statistic 104

In 2022, California recorded 4,228 traffic deaths.

Statistic 105

Global road deaths peaked at 1.35 million annually around 2016.

Statistic 106

U.S. fatalities in nighttime crashes were 54% of total in 2021 despite 27% of miles driven at night.

Statistic 107

In 2021, 2,710 teen drivers died in U.S. motor vehicle crashes.

Statistic 108

Pickup truck occupant death rate was 12.9 per million registered vehicles in 2021.

Statistic 109

In 2020, U.S. pedestrian fatalities increased 21% in urban areas.

Statistic 110

Global male road death rate is 2.8 times higher than females at 18 per 100,000.

Statistic 111

Texas had 4,478 motor vehicle deaths in 2022.

Statistic 112

In 2021, 4,965 people died in speed-related U.S. crashes.

Statistic 113

SUV occupant fatalities totaled 8,072 in the U.S. in 2021.

Statistic 114

In 2022, 42 states saw an increase in traffic deaths over 2021.

Statistic 115

In 2021, U.S. emergency medical service personnel responded to 4.3 million motor vehicle crash injuries.

Statistic 116

Globally, 20-50 million people suffer non-fatal road injuries annually, many resulting in disability.

Statistic 117

In 2020, 2.3 million U.S. emergency department visits were for motor vehicle crash injuries.

Statistic 118

U.S. motor vehicle crash injury rate per 100 million miles was 105.8 in 2021.

Statistic 119

Approximately 1 in 5 U.S. crash injuries results in traumatic brain injury.

Statistic 120

In 2021, 397,000 U.S. children were injured in motor vehicle crashes.

Statistic 121

Pedestrian injuries in the U.S. numbered 60,000 in 2021, with 5,932 fatalities.

Statistic 122

From 2010-2020, U.S. motor vehicle injuries cost $470 billion in medical expenses.

Statistic 123

In 2022, 5.25 million police-reported U.S. crashes involved injuries.

Statistic 124

Globally, road injuries are the leading cause of death for ages 5-29.

Statistic 125

U.S. hospital discharges for motor vehicle occupant injuries: 344,000 in 2019.

Statistic 126

Motorcycle injuries treated in U.S. ERs: 83,000 in 2021.

Statistic 127

In 2021, 1.2 million U.S. drivers reported injuries from crashes.

Statistic 128

Bicyclist injuries in U.S. traffic: 130,000 annually average 2017-2021.

Statistic 129

U.S. teen drivers aged 16-19 injured in 383,000 crashes in 2021.

Statistic 130

Spinal cord injuries from U.S. motor vehicle crashes: 38% of total.

Statistic 131

In 2020, 2.28 million Americans injured in motor vehicle crashes.

Statistic 132

Whiplash injuries account for 70% of U.S. motor vehicle injury claims.

Statistic 133

Global non-fatal road injuries: 39 million in 2017.

Statistic 134

U.S. occupant injuries in crashes: 2.1 million in 2021.

Statistic 135

Lower extremity injuries comprise 30% of serious crash injuries in U.S.

Statistic 136

In 2021, 75,000 U.S. pedestrians seriously injured in crashes.

Statistic 137

U.S. airbag deployment prevented 50,000 serious injuries since 1987.

Statistic 138

Head injuries from U.S. MV crashes: 400,000 ER visits annually.

Statistic 139

In 2022, 6 million U.S. crashes resulted in 2.5 million injuries.

Statistic 140

Florida reported 260,000 injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2021.

Statistic 141

U.S. seat belt use reduced injuries by 50% for front-seat occupants.

Statistic 142

Motorcycle helmet use prevents 37% of deaths and 67% of head injuries.

Statistic 143

In 2021, 172,000 U.S. bicyclists treated for traffic injuries.

Statistic 144

Traumatic brain injuries from MV crashes: 14,000 hospitalizations yearly.

Statistic 145

Alcohol-related crash injuries in U.S.: 340,000 in 2021.

Statistic 146

In 2020, U.S. children under 14 injured: 547,000 in MV crashes.

Statistic 147

Speeding contributed to 29% of U.S. fatal crashes but more injuries.

Statistic 148

In 2021, 29% of U.S. crash-involved drivers had injuries.

1/148

Sources

Trusted by 500+ publications

+497

A staggering 42,795 lives were lost on U.S. roads in 2022 alone, a grim statistic that underscores the urgent need to address the preventable causes—from distracted and impaired driving to unsafe infrastructure—behind this ongoing public health crisis.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, there were 42,795 motor vehicle crash deaths in the United States, marking a 0.3% increase from 2021.
Motor vehicle crashes killed 1.19 million people globally in 2021, accounting for 2.2% of all deaths worldwide.
The U.S. motor vehicle fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled was 1.33 in 2022.
In 2021, U.S. emergency medical service personnel responded to 4.3 million motor vehicle crash injuries.
Globally, 20-50 million people suffer non-fatal road injuries annually, many resulting in disability.
In 2020, 2.3 million U.S. emergency department visits were for motor vehicle crash injuries.
Distracted driving caused 3,142 deaths and thousands of injuries in 2021 U.S.
Alcohol impairment was involved in 30% of all U.S. traffic fatalities in 2021.
Speeding was a factor in 29% of U.S. fatal motor vehicle crashes in 2022.
Males account for 71% of U.S. driver deaths in crashes.
Drivers aged 16-17 have crash rates 3 times higher than drivers over 20.
In 2021, 12% of U.S. traffic fatalities were drivers 75+, despite 10% population.
In 2022, U.S. motor vehicle crashes cost $472 billion economically.
Global economic loss from road crashes: 3% of GDP annually.
U.S. crash medical costs: $44 billion in 2020.

U.S. traffic fatalities remain alarmingly high despite decades of safety improvements.

Causes

1Distracted driving caused 3,142 deaths and thousands of injuries in 2021 U.S.

Verified

2Alcohol impairment was involved in 30% of all U.S. traffic fatalities in 2021.

Verified

3Speeding was a factor in 29% of U.S. fatal motor vehicle crashes in 2022.

Verified

4Distracted driving accounted for 8% of fatal crashes in the U.S. in 2021.

Directional

5Failure to yield right-of-way caused 24% of U.S. intersection crashes in 2021.

Single source

6In 2021, 49% of U.S. fatal crashes involved a male driver under 34.

Verified

7Rear-end crashes make up 29% of all U.S. police-reported crashes.

Verified

8Improper lane change caused 8% of U.S. fatal crashes in 2021.

Verified

9Globally, speeding contributes to one-third of road traffic deaths.

Directional

10Cell phone use increases crash risk by 4 times, per U.S. studies.

Single source

11DUI crashes in U.S. peak between 12 AM and 3 AM on weekends.

Verified

12Running red lights caused 929 U.S. deaths in 2021.

Verified

13Fatigue-related crashes: 13% of U.S. roadway departures.

Verified

14In 2021, 18% of U.S. fatal crashes involved large trucks.

Directional

15Wrong-way driving led to 668 U.S. fatalities in 2021, often alcohol-related.

Single source

16Over 90% of U.S. crashes due to human error, per NHTSA.

Verified

17Aggressive driving factors in 56% of fatal U.S. crashes.

Verified

18Intersection crashes: 40% of all U.S. crashes, 22% of fatalities.

Verified

19Texting while driving raises crash risk by 23 times.

Directional

20Alcohol-involved crashes: BAC 0.08+ in 67% of DUI deaths U.S. 2021.

Single source

21Roadway departure crashes: 53% of U.S. fatalities in 2022.

Verified

22Hit-and-run crashes caused 2,783 U.S. deaths in 2021.

Verified

23Speeding teens: 30% higher crash rate per mile.

Verified

24Mechanical failure: less than 2% of U.S. crashes.

Directional

25Weather-related crashes: 21% of U.S. total, 5% fatal.

Single source

26Rollover crashes: 35% of SUV fatalities vs. 10% sedans.

Verified

27Drowsy driving equivalent to 70,000 crashes yearly U.S.

Verified

28Failure to control vehicle: primary in 30% U.S. fatal single-vehicle crashes.

Verified

29In 2021, 62% of U.S. male drivers aged 21-24 involved in fatal crashes.

Directional

Causes Interpretation

The grim truth is that behind nearly every fatal statistic lies a preventable human choice—a glance at a screen, a drink too many, a reckless urge to speed—proving that the most dangerous part of any car is, far too often, the driver.

Costs and Trends

1In 2022, U.S. motor vehicle crashes cost $472 billion economically.

Verified

2Global economic loss from road crashes: 3% of GDP annually.

Verified

3U.S. crash medical costs: $44 billion in 2020.

Verified

4Insurance payouts for U.S. auto crashes: $165 billion yearly.

Directional

5Seat belts save U.S. $236 billion in medical costs over 40 years.

Single source

6Drunk driving costs U.S. $134 billion annually.

Verified

7Traffic deaths per 100k population declined 50% since 1980 in U.S.

Verified

8Vehicle miles traveled up 120% since 1980, deaths down 10%.

Verified

9Airbags saved $83 billion in U.S. crash costs since 1987.

Directional

10Speeding costs U.S. economy $40-50 billion yearly.

Single source

11U.S. congestion cost: $87 billion in 2023, linked to crashes.

Verified

12Helmet laws save U.S. $3 billion in medical costs yearly.

Verified

13Global road safety investment: $1 saves $8-10 in costs.

Verified

14U.S. truck crash costs: $91 billion in 2016.

Directional

15Lost productivity from U.S. MV deaths: $277 billion in 2020.

Single source

16Fatalities per billion miles dropped from 1.47 in 2002 to 1.33 in 2022.

Verified

17U.S. property damage from crashes: $258 billion annually.

Verified

18Vision Zero cities reduced fatalities 20-40%.

Verified

19Autonomous vehicles projected to reduce crashes 90%.

Directional

20U.S. teen crash costs: $34 billion yearly.

Single source

21Market loss from crashes: $242 billion U.S. 2020.

Verified

22Red light cameras reduce crashes 24%, save millions.

Verified

23U.S. fatality rate lowest in Northeast states.

Verified

24Global deaths stagnant since 2007 at 1.3 million.

Directional

25U.S. crashes down 5% in 2020 due to pandemic.

Single source

26Infrastructure investment yields 4:1 crash cost savings.

Verified

27U.S. average crash cost per fatality: $11.5 million.

Verified

28Distracted driving costs $260 billion U.S. yearly.

Verified

Costs and Trends Interpretation

We have the proven tools—like seat belts, airbags, and smarter infrastructure—to dramatically cut this staggering economic hemorrhage, but collectively we keep choosing the expensive, bloody path instead.

Demographics

1Males account for 71% of U.S. driver deaths in crashes.

Verified

2Drivers aged 16-17 have crash rates 3 times higher than drivers over 20.

Verified

3In 2021, 12% of U.S. traffic fatalities were drivers 75+, despite 10% population.

Verified

4African Americans: 21% of pedestrian deaths vs. 13% population.

Directional

5Males comprise 70% of U.S. motorcyclist fatalities.

Single source

6Teens 16-19: 8% of drivers but 12% of fatal crash drivers.

Verified

7Hispanic population: 19% of U.S. fatalities, 18% population.

Verified

8Elderly drivers 80+: fatal crash rate 4x higher per mile.

Verified

9Young males 18-24: highest DUI arrest rate at 3,812 per 100,000.

Directional

10Women: 46% of U.S. passenger deaths but lower driver deaths.

Single source

11Children 0-3: rear-facing seats reduce death risk 72%.

Verified

12Urban areas: 52% of U.S. fatalities despite 27% miles.

Verified

13Native Americans: traffic death rate 36.5 per 100,000, 2x national.

Verified

14Drivers 85+: 25% higher fatal crash involvement per mile.

Directional

15Teens: 21% of drivers in fatal crashes with alcohol.

Single source

16Males 25-34: 26% of U.S. driver fatalities.

Verified

17Rural roads: 44% of U.S. fatalities but 30% VMT.

Verified

18Black males: highest pedestrian death rate at 2.85 per 100,000.

Verified

19Ages 35-44: 20% of speeding-related fatalities.

Directional

20Females under 25: crash rate 1.5x higher than older females.

Single source

21Pickup drivers: 80% male, higher rollover risk.

Verified

22Global: 77% of deaths male.

Verified

23U.S. low-income areas: 50% higher pedestrian crash risk.

Verified

24Drivers 20-29: 27% of all fatal crashes.

Directional

25Children 12-17: 9% of passenger deaths.

Single source

26Weekend nights: 40% of fatal crashes involve young males.

Verified

27Motorcyclists 40-44: peak age group for fatalities.

Verified

Demographics Interpretation

While the open road promises freedom, these sobering statistics reveal that the journey is perilously skewed by youth, masculinity, and inequality, proving that when it comes to traffic safety, your demographics can be as dangerous as your driving.

Fatalities

1In 2022, there were 42,795 motor vehicle crash deaths in the United States, marking a 0.3% increase from 2021.

Verified

2Motor vehicle crashes killed 1.19 million people globally in 2021, accounting for 2.2% of all deaths worldwide.

Verified

3The U.S. motor vehicle fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled was 1.33 in 2022.

Verified

4In 2021, 13,384 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in the U.S., representing 29% of all traffic fatalities.

Directional

5Pedestrian deaths reached 7,522 in the U.S. in 2022, a 1.6% increase from 2021.

Single source

6From 1975 to 2022, motor vehicle crash deaths per 100,000 population in the U.S. dropped 52%, from 25.9 to 12.4.

Verified

7In 2020, 38,680 people died in U.S. motor vehicle crashes, the lowest since 2001 but still high.

Verified

8Globally, road traffic deaths among children aged 5-14 numbered 34,000 in 2021.

Verified

9U.S. motor vehicle deaths increased by 16% from 2019 to 2022, totaling over 42,000 annually.

Directional

10In 2022, 5,932 motorcyclists died in U.S. crashes, up 2% from 2021.

Single source

11Large truck crash fatalities in the U.S. rose to 5,788 in 2021, a 5% increase.

Verified

12In 2021, 1,105 bicyclists were killed in U.S. traffic crashes.

Verified

13Teen drivers aged 16-19 were involved in 2,516 fatal crashes in the U.S. in 2021.

Verified

14In 2022, Florida had 4,252 motor vehicle fatalities, the highest in the U.S.

Directional

15Globally, 93% of road traffic deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries despite having 60% of vehicles.

Single source

16U.S. occupant deaths in passenger vehicles totaled 21,943 in 2021.

Verified

17From 2018 to 2021, U.S. highway deaths rose 22% to over 40,000.

Verified

18In 2021, 668 people died in U.S. crashes involving wrong-way driving.

Verified

19Motorcycle fatalities per 100,000 registered vehicles in the U.S. were 61.4 in 2021.

Directional

20In 2022, California recorded 4,228 traffic deaths.

Single source

21Global road deaths peaked at 1.35 million annually around 2016.

Verified

22U.S. fatalities in nighttime crashes were 54% of total in 2021 despite 27% of miles driven at night.

Verified

23In 2021, 2,710 teen drivers died in U.S. motor vehicle crashes.

Verified

24Pickup truck occupant death rate was 12.9 per million registered vehicles in 2021.

Directional

25In 2020, U.S. pedestrian fatalities increased 21% in urban areas.

Single source

26Global male road death rate is 2.8 times higher than females at 18 per 100,000.

Verified

27Texas had 4,478 motor vehicle deaths in 2022.

Verified

28In 2021, 4,965 people died in speed-related U.S. crashes.

Verified

29SUV occupant fatalities totaled 8,072 in the U.S. in 2021.

Directional

30In 2022, 42 states saw an increase in traffic deaths over 2021.

Single source

Fatalities Interpretation

While we’ve halved the per-capita death rate since the 70s, the grim math of 42,795 lives lost last year—each one a preventable tragedy—proves we’re still tragically stuck in neutral when it comes to road safety.

Injuries

1In 2021, U.S. emergency medical service personnel responded to 4.3 million motor vehicle crash injuries.

Verified

2Globally, 20-50 million people suffer non-fatal road injuries annually, many resulting in disability.

Verified

3In 2020, 2.3 million U.S. emergency department visits were for motor vehicle crash injuries.

Verified

4U.S. motor vehicle crash injury rate per 100 million miles was 105.8 in 2021.

Directional

5Approximately 1 in 5 U.S. crash injuries results in traumatic brain injury.

Single source

6In 2021, 397,000 U.S. children were injured in motor vehicle crashes.

Verified

7Pedestrian injuries in the U.S. numbered 60,000 in 2021, with 5,932 fatalities.

Verified

8From 2010-2020, U.S. motor vehicle injuries cost $470 billion in medical expenses.

Verified

9In 2022, 5.25 million police-reported U.S. crashes involved injuries.

Directional

10Globally, road injuries are the leading cause of death for ages 5-29.

Single source

11U.S. hospital discharges for motor vehicle occupant injuries: 344,000 in 2019.

Verified

12Motorcycle injuries treated in U.S. ERs: 83,000 in 2021.

Verified

13In 2021, 1.2 million U.S. drivers reported injuries from crashes.

Verified

14Bicyclist injuries in U.S. traffic: 130,000 annually average 2017-2021.

Directional

15U.S. teen drivers aged 16-19 injured in 383,000 crashes in 2021.

Single source

16Spinal cord injuries from U.S. motor vehicle crashes: 38% of total.

Verified

17In 2020, 2.28 million Americans injured in motor vehicle crashes.

Verified

18Whiplash injuries account for 70% of U.S. motor vehicle injury claims.

Verified

19Global non-fatal road injuries: 39 million in 2017.

Directional

20U.S. occupant injuries in crashes: 2.1 million in 2021.

Single source

21Lower extremity injuries comprise 30% of serious crash injuries in U.S.

Verified

22In 2021, 75,000 U.S. pedestrians seriously injured in crashes.

Verified

23U.S. airbag deployment prevented 50,000 serious injuries since 1987.

Verified

24Head injuries from U.S. MV crashes: 400,000 ER visits annually.

Directional

25In 2022, 6 million U.S. crashes resulted in 2.5 million injuries.

Single source

26Florida reported 260,000 injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2021.

Verified

27U.S. seat belt use reduced injuries by 50% for front-seat occupants.

Verified

28Motorcycle helmet use prevents 37% of deaths and 67% of head injuries.

Verified

29In 2021, 172,000 U.S. bicyclists treated for traffic injuries.

Directional

30Traumatic brain injuries from MV crashes: 14,000 hospitalizations yearly.

Single source

31Alcohol-related crash injuries in U.S.: 340,000 in 2021.

Verified

32In 2020, U.S. children under 14 injured: 547,000 in MV crashes.

Verified

33Speeding contributed to 29% of U.S. fatal crashes but more injuries.

Verified

34In 2021, 29% of U.S. crash-involved drivers had injuries.

Directional

Injuries Interpretation

Behind every statistic is a human story, yet this relentless parade of millions of annual injuries and billions in costs suggests we've tragically accepted the carnage of our roads as a normal tax for mobility.