NHTSA Releases Crash Data and Driver Behaviors for 2021

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a report today analyzing traffic safety data for the first half of 2021. According to the report, an estimated 20,160 people died in motor-vehicle-related crashes in the first half of 2021. This is a projected 18.6% spike in traffic fatalities compared to the same period of time in 2020, and an 18.4% spike over the same time period in 2019.

A behavioral safety report, released alongside the crash data today, sheds some light on the cause of this increase in traffic fatalities. This report suggests an increase in speeding and driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, coupled with a decrease in seatbelt use that is contributing to unsafe driving conditions.

In response to these reports, Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced the creation of the first-ever National Roadway Safety Strategy that will influence "action steps" to decrease road fatalities and improve driver safety.

To read the NHTSA behavioral driving safety report, click here.

To read the NHTSA crash statistics report, click here.