NHTSA: More than 8% drop in roadway deaths projected for first half of 2025

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that roadway deaths have dropped more than 8% in 2025 as compared to 2024 according to early data. 

The NHTSA released preliminary findings for traffic fatalities in the first half of 2025 this month. The data was collected from January through June, and estimates that 17,140 roadway deaths occurred during that time. This number is down from 18,680 for that same time period in 2024. The NHTSA is estimating an approximate 8.2% decline in fatalities from 2024 to 2025. 

“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,” NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser said. “But even as we see progress, these numbers are far too high, and we remain focused on reducing traffic fatalities even further.”

The NHTSA also states that miles traveled on American highways in the first half of 2025 increased by 12.1 billion as compared to the same time period in 2024. 

“As a result, the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled dropped to 1.06, down 8.6% from 1.16 in the same period last year. This represents the lowest mid-year fatality rate since 2014,” the release stated.

38 of the 50 United States are expected to see decreases in traffic deaths. 11 will likely see increases, while one is expected to remain the same.