NSC releases preliminary semiannual estimates for road safety

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Safety Council (NSC) released their preliminary semiannual estimates for road safety today, and the results show a slight 1 percent increase in total motor-vehicle deaths in 2020 compared to 2019.

However, total number of vehicle miles travelled have decreased by nearly 17 percent since 2019, which means the death rate per mile travelled has increased significantly.

Overall, these preliminary estimates suggest that total motor vehicle deaths are on the rise, even people are driving less. In the report, the NSC stated that “the riskier roads threaten to reverse traffic safety gains made over the last few years.”

Already in 2020, there have been approximately 18,300 deaths, and $206.4 billion in motor-vehicle deaths, injuries, and property damage costs.