NHTSA Releases Traffic Fatalities Data for Early 2021

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released traffic fatality data for the first quarter of 2021 this week. NHTSA estimates that 8,730 people died in traffic accidents in the first three months of 2021-- a 10.5% increase from the first quarter of 2020.

This increase occurred even as total driving declined due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Federal Highway Administration showed that vehicle miles travelled (VMT) declined 2.1% in the first three months of 2021.

To read the NHTSA report, click here.