A projected 39,345 people died in U.S. traffic crashes in 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The figure represents a 3.8 percent decline compared to the 40,901 fatalities reported in 2023 and marks the first time since 2020 that the number of fatalities fell below 40,000.

The quarterly fatality declines that began in the second quarter of 2022 also continued, the NHTSA stated, with the fourth quarter of 2024 marking the 11th consecutive quarterly decrease in traffic fatalities.

“It’s encouraging to see that traffic fatalities are continuing to fall from their COVID pandemic highs. Total road fatalities, however, remain significantly higher than a decade ago, and America’s traffic fatality rate remains high relative to many peer nations,” NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser said. “To reduce fatalities further, USDOT is working closely to partner with the law enforcement community to enhance traffic enforcement on our roads, including speeding, impairment, distraction, and lack of seatbelt use.”

The 2024 early estimates show trends in line with 2023, with Americans driving more miles while fatalities continued to decline.

Preliminary data from the Federal Highway Administration shows vehicle miles traveled increased by 1 percent, while the fatality rate for 2024 decreased to 1.20 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled — the lowest since 2019, but still above the average rate of 1.13 in the seven years before COVID.

Estimates indicate deaths associated with traffic accidents declined in 35 states and Puerto Rico in 2024, while increases are projected in 14 states (Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Dakota) and the District of Columbia, as compared to 2023. One state, Utah, remained unchanged.

NHTSA also released its final 2023 Fatality Analysis Reporting System and Crash Reporting Sampling System traffic crash data and analysis.

There were 1,820 fewer people killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes on U.S. roads during 2023, a 4.3 percent decrease from 42,721 in 2022 to 40,901 in 2023, representing the second year-to-year decrease since 2021.

The fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled declined by 6 percent from 1.34 in 2022 to 1.26 in 2023.