The NHTSA reported that, in 2018, drunk driving fatalities dropped about 4%, although they still accounted for 29% of 2018 traffic deaths. (Credit: Photo Spirit/Shutterstock)
The number of people dying on America's roads dropped by nearly 1,000 in 2018, according to newly released data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Although motor vehicle fatalities declined for the second consecutive year, pedestrian, bicyclist, and large-truck occupant fatalities saw increases:
- 1,038 children (14 and younger) died, a more than 10% decline from 2017;
- 9,378 speeding-related deaths, an almost 6% drop;
- 4,985 motorcycle fatalities, an almost 5% decrease;
- 6,283 pedestrians died, a more than 3% increase — and the most deaths since 1990;
- 857 bicyclist deaths, a more than 6% increase; and
- 885 large-truck occupants died, an almost 1% increase.
The decrease in traffic deaths came as people drove even more. Estimated vehicle miles traveled (VMT) increased by 0.3% from 2017 to 2018, while the fatality rate per 100 million VMT decreased by over 3%. This was the lowest fatality rate since 2014.
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Victoria Spears
Victoria Prussen Spears is senior vice president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and Brooklyn Law School, Ms. Spears was an attorney at a leading New York City law firm before joining Meyerowitz Communications. She may be contacted at [email protected].
