WASHINGTON—Traffic fatalities in the United States saw a significant drop in the first half of 2025, marking the largest first-half reduction in roadway deaths since 2008, according to new data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The NHTSA released early estimates on Tuesday projecting an 8.2% decline in motor vehicle traffic fatalities from January through June of this year. An estimated 17,140 people died in crashes, down from 18,680 during the same period in 2024.
The encouraging figures come despite an increase in vehicle miles traveled, which rose by 12.1 billion miles during the first six months of 2025. This led to a traffic fatality rate of 1.06 deaths per 100 million miles traveled, an 8.6% decrease from the same period last year and the lowest mid-year rate since 2014.
“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,” said NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser. “But even as we see progress, these numbers are far too high, and we remain focused on reducing traffic fatalities even further.”
The decline was widespread across the nation, with 38 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico all projected to have experienced decreases in traffic deaths. Only 11 states are expected to see an increase, with one state remaining unchanged.
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