Fatality Facts 2021Yearly snapshot
Overview
A total of 42,939 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2021. The U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent estimate of the annual economic cost of crashes is $340 billion.
In 1975, the U.S. Department of Transportation started an annual census of motor vehicle deaths, recording information on crash type, vehicle type, road type, driver characteristics and a variety of other factors. Institute researchers analyze these data each year to quantify the public health problem of motor vehicle deaths.
The following facts are based on analysis of data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Posted May 2023.
Trends
A total of 42,939 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2021. These deaths occurred in 39,508 crashes involving 61,332 motor vehicles. This was a 10 percent increase in deaths compared with 2020.
Number of deaths, crashes and motor vehicles in fatal crashes, 1975-2021 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Deaths | Crashes | Motor vehicles |
1975 | 44,525 | 39,161 | 55,534 |
1976 | 45,523 | 39,747 | 56,084 |
1977 | 47,878 | 42,211 | 60,516 |
1978 | 50,331 | 44,433 | 64,144 |
1979 | 51,093 | 45,223 | 64,762 |
1980 | 51,091 | 45,284 | 63,485 |
1981 | 49,301 | 44,000 | 62,699 |
1982 | 43,945 | 39,092 | 56,455 |
1983 | 42,589 | 37,976 | 55,106 |
1984 | 44,257 | 39,631 | 57,972 |
1985 | 43,825 | 39,196 | 58,272 |
1986 | 46,087 | 41,090 | 60,792 |
1987 | 46,390 | 41,438 | 61,836 |
1988 | 47,087 | 42,130 | 62,703 |
1989 | 45,582 | 40,741 | 60,870 |
1990 | 44,599 | 39,836 | 59,292 |
1991 | 41,508 | 36,937 | 54,795 |
1992 | 39,250 | 34,942 | 52,227 |
1993 | 40,150 | 35,780 | 53,777 |
1994 | 40,716 | 36,254 | 54,911 |
1995 | 41,817 | 37,241 | 56,524 |
1996 | 42,065 | 37,494 | 57,347 |
1997 | 42,013 | 37,324 | 57,060 |
1998 | 41,501 | 37,107 | 56,922 |
1999 | 41,717 | 37,140 | 56,820 |
2000 | 41,945 | 37,526 | 57,594 |
2001 | 42,196 | 37,862 | 57,918 |
2002 | 43,005 | 38,491 | 58,426 |
2003 | 42,884 | 38,477 | 58,877 |
2004 | 42,836 | 38,444 | 58,729 |
2005 | 43,510 | 39,252 | 59,495 |
2006 | 42,708 | 38,648 | 58,094 |
2007 | 41,259 | 37,435 | 56,253 |
2008 | 37,423 | 34,172 | 50,660 |
2009 | 33,883 | 30,862 | 45,540 |
2010 | 32,999 | 30,296 | 44,862 |
2011 | 32,479 | 29,867 | 44,119 |
2012 | 33,782 | 31,006 | 45,960 |
2013 | 32,894 | 30,203 | 45,102 |
2014 | 32,744 | 30,056 | 44,950 |
2015 | 35,485 | 32,539 | 49,477 |
2016 | 37,806 | 34,748 | 52,714 |
2017 | 37,473 | 34,560 | 53,128 |
2018 | 36,835 | 33,919 | 52,286 |
2019 | 36,355 | 33,487 | 51,623 |
2020 | 39,007 | 35,935 | 54,552 |
2021 | 42,939 | 39,508 | 61,332 |
Although the U.S. population has continued to grow since 1975, the rate of crash deaths per 100,000 people in 2021 was 39 percent lower than it was four decades ago. In 2021, the overall per capita death rate increased 9 percent compared with 2020.
Motor vehicle crash deaths and deaths per 100,000 people, 1975-2021
Motor vehicle crash deaths per 100,000 people by type, 1975-2021 | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Population | Passenger vehicle occupants | Pedestrians | Motorcyclists | Bicyclists | Large truck occupants | All motor vehicle deaths* | ||||||
Number | Rate | Number | Rate | Number | Rate | Number | Rate | Number | Rate | Number | Rate | ||
1975 | 215,973,199 | 30,601 | 14.2 | 7,516 | 3.5 | 3,180 | 1.5 | 1,003 | 0.5 | 916 | 0.4 | 44,525 | 20.6 |
1976 | 218,035,164 | 31,724 | 14.5 | 7,427 | 3.4 | 3,306 | 1.5 | 914 | 0.4 | 1,100 | 0.5 | 45,523 | 20.9 |
1977 | 220,239,425 | 32,823 | 14.9 | 7,732 | 3.5 | 4,099 | 1.9 | 922 | 0.4 | 1,229 | 0.6 | 47,878 | 21.7 |
1978 | 222,584,545 | 34,923 | 15.7 | 7,795 | 3.5 | 4,574 | 2.1 | 892 | 0.4 | 1,315 | 0.6 | 50,331 | 22.6 |
1979 | 225,055,487 | 35,026 | 15.6 | 8,096 | 3.6 | 4,892 | 2.2 | 932 | 0.4 | 1,372 | 0.6 | 51,093 | 22.7 |
1980 | 227,224,719 | 34,996 | 15.4 | 8,070 | 3.6 | 5,138 | 2.3 | 965 | 0.4 | 1,183 | 0.5 | 51,091 | 22.5 |
1981 | 229,465,608 | 33,711 | 14.7 | 7,837 | 3.4 | 4,896 | 2.1 | 936 | 0.4 | 1,082 | 0.5 | 49,301 | 21.5 |
1982 | 231,664,496 | 29,656 | 12.8 | 7,331 | 3.2 | 4,449 | 1.9 | 864 | 0.4 | 917 | 0.4 | 43,945 | 19.0 |
1983 | 233,791,903 | 29,154 | 12.5 | 6,826 | 2.9 | 4,260 | 1.8 | 830 | 0.4 | 960 | 0.4 | 42,589 | 18.2 |
1984 | 235,824,783 | 30,094 | 12.8 | 7,025 | 3.0 | 4,602 | 2.0 | 838 | 0.4 | 1,040 | 0.4 | 44,257 | 18.8 |
1985 | 237,923,732 | 29,848 | 12.5 | 6,808 | 2.9 | 4,562 | 1.9 | 869 | 0.4 | 941 | 0.4 | 43,825 | 18.4 |
1986 | 240,132,841 | 32,224 | 13.4 | 6,779 | 2.8 | 4,566 | 1.9 | 929 | 0.4 | 892 | 0.4 | 46,087 | 19.2 |
1987 | 242,289,023 | 33,145 | 13.7 | 6,745 | 2.8 | 4,034 | 1.7 | 940 | 0.4 | 821 | 0.3 | 46,390 | 19.1 |
1988 | 244,498,836 | 34,105 | 13.9 | 6,870 | 2.8 | 3,661 | 1.5 | 901 | 0.4 | 886 | 0.4 | 47,087 | 19.3 |
1989 | 246,819,119 | 33,599 | 13.6 | 6,556 | 2.7 | 3,135 | 1.3 | 822 | 0.3 | 822 | 0.3 | 45,582 | 18.5 |
1990 | 249,464,396 | 32,711 | 13.1 | 6,482 | 2.6 | 3,243 | 1.3 | 853 | 0.3 | 684 | 0.3 | 44,599 | 17.9 |
1991 | 252,153,092 | 30,810 | 12.2 | 5,801 | 2.3 | 2,805 | 1.1 | 836 | 0.3 | 650 | 0.3 | 41,508 | 16.5 |
1992 | 255,029,699 | 29,457 | 11.6 | 5,549 | 2.2 | 2,395 | 0.9 | 717 | 0.3 | 580 | 0.2 | 39,250 | 15.4 |
1993 | 257,782,608 | 29,994 | 11.6 | 5,649 | 2.2 | 2,445 | 0.9 | 806 | 0.3 | 590 | 0.2 | 40,150 | 15.6 |
1994 | 260,327,021 | 30,820 | 11.8 | 5,489 | 2.1 | 2,317 | 0.9 | 796 | 0.3 | 658 | 0.3 | 40,716 | 15.6 |
1995 | 262,803,276 | 31,914 | 12.1 | 5,584 | 2.1 | 2,226 | 0.8 | 828 | 0.3 | 634 | 0.2 | 41,817 | 15.9 |
1996 | 265,228,572 | 32,354 | 12.2 | 5,449 | 2.1 | 2,161 | 0.8 | 761 | 0.3 | 602 | 0.2 | 42,065 | 15.9 |
1997 | 267,783,607 | 32,343 | 12.1 | 5,321 | 2.0 | 2,116 | 0.8 | 811 | 0.3 | 717 | 0.3 | 42,013 | 15.7 |
1998 | 270,248,003 | 31,781 | 11.8 | 5,228 | 1.9 | 2,294 | 0.8 | 757 | 0.3 | 739 | 0.3 | 41,501 | 15.4 |
1999 | 272,690,813 | 32,008 | 11.7 | 4,939 | 1.8 | 2,483 | 0.9 | 750 | 0.3 | 747 | 0.3 | 41,717 | 15.3 |
2000 | 282,192,162 | 32,109 | 11.4 | 4,763 | 1.7 | 2,895 | 1.0 | 689 | 0.2 | 737 | 0.3 | 41,945 | 14.9 |
2001 | 285,102,075 | 31,938 | 11.2 | 4,901 | 1.7 | 3,195 | 1.1 | 729 | 0.3 | 691 | 0.2 | 42,196 | 14.8 |
2002 | 287,941,220 | 32,724 | 11.4 | 4,851 | 1.7 | 3,267 | 1.1 | 663 | 0.2 | 675 | 0.2 | 43,005 | 14.9 |
2003 | 290,788,976 | 32,166 | 11.1 | 4,774 | 1.6 | 3,710 | 1.3 | 626 | 0.2 | 703 | 0.2 | 42,884 | 14.7 |
2004 | 293,655,404 | 31,750 | 10.8 | 4,675 | 1.6 | 4,026 | 1.4 | 722 | 0.2 | 743 | 0.3 | 42,836 | 14.6 |
2005 | 296,410,404 | 31,455 | 10.6 | 4,892 | 1.7 | 4,575 | 1.5 | 784 | 0.3 | 758 | 0.3 | 43,510 | 14.7 |
2006 | 299,398,484 | 30,628 | 10.2 | 4,795 | 1.6 | 4,810 | 1.6 | 769 | 0.3 | 774 | 0.3 | 42,708 | 14.3 |
2007 | 301,621,157 | 29,155 | 9.7 | 4,699 | 1.6 | 5,174 | 1.7 | 699 | 0.2 | 745 | 0.2 | 41,259 | 13.7 |
2008 | 304,059,724 | 25,547 | 8.4 | 4,414 | 1.5 | 5,307 | 1.7 | 716 | 0.2 | 615 | 0.2 | 37,423 | 12.3 |
2009 | 307,006,550 | 23,507 | 7.7 | 4,109 | 1.3 | 4,467 | 1.5 | 628 | 0.2 | 449 | 0.1 | 33,883 | 11.0 |
2010 | 309,327,143 | 22,351 | 7.2 | 4,302 | 1.4 | 4,517 | 1.5 | 621 | 0.2 | 475 | 0.2 | 32,999 | 10.7 |
2011 | 311,583,481 | 21,413 | 6.9 | 4,457 | 1.4 | 4,630 | 1.5 | 680 | 0.2 | 555 | 0.2 | 32,479 | 10.4 |
2012 | 313,877,662 | 21,906 | 7.0 | 4,818 | 1.5 | 4,986 | 1.6 | 730 | 0.2 | 590 | 0.2 | 33,782 | 10.8 |
2013 | 316,059,947 | 21,361 | 6.8 | 4,779 | 1.5 | 4,691 | 1.5 | 747 | 0.2 | 589 | 0.2 | 32,894 | 10.4 |
2014 | 318,386,329 | 21,131 | 6.6 | 4,910 | 1.5 | 4,302 | 1.4 | 723 | 0.2 | 585 | 0.2 | 32,744 | 10.3 |
2015 | 320,738,994 | 22,741 | 7.1 | 5,495 | 1.7 | 5,026 | 1.6 | 828 | 0.3 | 598 | 0.2 | 35,485 | 11.1 |
2016 | 323,071,755 | 23,957 | 7.4 | 6,080 | 1.9 | 5,337 | 1.7 | 848 | 0.3 | 662 | 0.2 | 37,806 | 11.7 |
2017 | 325,122,128 | 23,866 | 7.3 | 6,075 | 1.9 | 5,229 | 1.6 | 800 | 0.2 | 680 | 0.2 | 37,473 | 11.5 |
2018 | 326,838,199 | 23,046 | 7.1 | 6,374 | 2.0 | 5,038 | 1.5 | 868 | 0.3 | 677 | 0.2 | 36,835 | 11.3 |
2019 | 328,329,953 | 22,557 | 6.9 | 6,272 | 1.9 | 5,044 | 1.5 | 856 | 0.3 | 680 | 0.2 | 36,355 | 11.1 |
2020 | 329,484,123 | 24,135 | 7.3 | 6,565 | 2.0 | 5,619 | 1.7 | 942 | 0.3 | 609 | 0.2 | 39,007 | 11.8 |
2021 | 331,893,745 | 26,585 | 8.0 | 7,388 | 2.2 | 6,084 | 1.8 | 961 | 0.3 | 756 | 0.2 | 42,939 | 12.9 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Sixty-two percent of crash fatalities in 2021 were passenger vehicle occupants, 17 percent were pedestrians, 14 percent were motorcyclists, 2 percent were bicyclists, and 2 percent were occupants of large trucks.
Motor vehicle crash deaths by type, 1975-2021 | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Passenger vehicle occupants | Pedestrians | Motorcyclists | Bicyclists | Large truck occupants | Other | All motor vehicle deaths | ||||||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | |
1975 | 30,601 | 69 | 7,516 | 17 | 3,180 | 7 | 1,003 | 2 | 916 | 2 | 1,309 | 3 | 44,525 |
1976 | 31,724 | 70 | 7,427 | 16 | 3,306 | 7 | 914 | 2 | 1,100 | 2 | 1,052 | 2 | 45,523 |
1977 | 32,823 | 69 | 7,732 | 16 | 4,099 | 9 | 922 | 2 | 1,229 | 3 | 1,073 | 2 | 47,878 |
1978 | 34,923 | 69 | 7,795 | 15 | 4,574 | 9 | 892 | 2 | 1,315 | 3 | 832 | 2 | 50,331 |
1979 | 35,026 | 69 | 8,096 | 16 | 4,892 | 10 | 932 | 2 | 1,372 | 3 | 775 | 2 | 51,093 |
1980 | 34,996 | 68 | 8,070 | 16 | 5,138 | 10 | 965 | 2 | 1,183 | 2 | 739 | 1 | 51,091 |
1981 | 33,711 | 68 | 7,837 | 16 | 4,896 | 10 | 936 | 2 | 1,082 | 2 | 839 | 2 | 49,301 |
1982 | 29,656 | 67 | 7,331 | 17 | 4,449 | 10 | 864 | 2 | 917 | 2 | 728 | 2 | 43,945 |
1983 | 29,154 | 68 | 6,826 | 16 | 4,260 | 10 | 830 | 2 | 960 | 2 | 559 | 1 | 42,589 |
1984 | 30,094 | 68 | 7,025 | 16 | 4,602 | 10 | 838 | 2 | 1,040 | 2 | 658 | 1 | 44,257 |
1985 | 29,848 | 68 | 6,808 | 16 | 4,562 | 10 | 869 | 2 | 941 | 2 | 797 | 2 | 43,825 |
1986 | 32,224 | 70 | 6,779 | 15 | 4,566 | 10 | 929 | 2 | 892 | 2 | 697 | 2 | 46,087 |
1987 | 33,145 | 71 | 6,745 | 15 | 4,034 | 9 | 940 | 2 | 821 | 2 | 705 | 2 | 46,390 |
1988 | 34,105 | 72 | 6,870 | 15 | 3,661 | 8 | 901 | 2 | 886 | 2 | 664 | 1 | 47,087 |
1989 | 33,599 | 74 | 6,556 | 14 | 3,135 | 7 | 822 | 2 | 822 | 2 | 648 | 1 | 45,582 |
1990 | 32,711 | 73 | 6,482 | 15 | 3,243 | 7 | 853 | 2 | 684 | 2 | 626 | 1 | 44,599 |
1991 | 30,810 | 74 | 5,801 | 14 | 2,805 | 7 | 836 | 2 | 650 | 2 | 606 | 1 | 41,508 |
1992 | 29,457 | 75 | 5,549 | 14 | 2,395 | 6 | 717 | 2 | 580 | 1 | 552 | 1 | 39,250 |
1993 | 29,994 | 75 | 5,649 | 14 | 2,445 | 6 | 806 | 2 | 590 | 1 | 666 | 2 | 40,150 |
1994 | 30,820 | 76 | 5,489 | 13 | 2,317 | 6 | 796 | 2 | 658 | 2 | 636 | 2 | 40,716 |
1995 | 31,914 | 76 | 5,584 | 13 | 2,226 | 5 | 828 | 2 | 634 | 2 | 631 | 2 | 41,817 |
1996 | 32,354 | 77 | 5,449 | 13 | 2,161 | 5 | 761 | 2 | 602 | 1 | 738 | 2 | 42,065 |
1997 | 32,343 | 77 | 5,321 | 13 | 2,116 | 5 | 811 | 2 | 717 | 2 | 705 | 2 | 42,013 |
1998 | 31,781 | 77 | 5,228 | 13 | 2,294 | 6 | 757 | 2 | 739 | 2 | 702 | 2 | 41,501 |
1999 | 32,008 | 77 | 4,939 | 12 | 2,483 | 6 | 750 | 2 | 747 | 2 | 790 | 2 | 41,717 |
2000 | 32,109 | 77 | 4,763 | 11 | 2,895 | 7 | 689 | 2 | 737 | 2 | 752 | 2 | 41,945 |
2001 | 31,938 | 76 | 4,901 | 12 | 3,195 | 8 | 729 | 2 | 691 | 2 | 742 | 2 | 42,196 |
2002 | 32,724 | 76 | 4,851 | 11 | 3,267 | 8 | 663 | 2 | 675 | 2 | 825 | 2 | 43,005 |
2003 | 32,166 | 75 | 4,774 | 11 | 3,710 | 9 | 626 | 1 | 703 | 2 | 905 | 2 | 42,884 |
2004 | 31,750 | 74 | 4,675 | 11 | 4,026 | 9 | 722 | 2 | 743 | 2 | 920 | 2 | 42,836 |
2005 | 31,455 | 72 | 4,892 | 11 | 4,575 | 11 | 784 | 2 | 758 | 2 | 1,046 | 2 | 43,510 |
2006 | 30,628 | 72 | 4,795 | 11 | 4,810 | 11 | 769 | 2 | 774 | 2 | 932 | 2 | 42,708 |
2007 | 29,155 | 71 | 4,699 | 11 | 5,174 | 13 | 699 | 2 | 745 | 2 | 787 | 2 | 41,259 |
2008 | 25,547 | 68 | 4,414 | 12 | 5,307 | 14 | 716 | 2 | 615 | 2 | 824 | 2 | 37,423 |
2009 | 23,507 | 69 | 4,109 | 12 | 4,467 | 13 | 628 | 2 | 449 | 1 | 723 | 2 | 33,883 |
2010 | 22,351 | 68 | 4,302 | 13 | 4,517 | 14 | 621 | 2 | 475 | 1 | 733 | 2 | 32,999 |
2011 | 21,413 | 66 | 4,457 | 14 | 4,630 | 14 | 680 | 2 | 555 | 2 | 744 | 2 | 32,479 |
2012 | 21,906 | 65 | 4,818 | 14 | 4,986 | 15 | 730 | 2 | 590 | 2 | 752 | 2 | 33,782 |
2013 | 21,361 | 65 | 4,779 | 15 | 4,691 | 14 | 747 | 2 | 589 | 2 | 727 | 2 | 32,894 |
2014 | 21,131 | 65 | 4,910 | 15 | 4,302 | 13 | 723 | 2 | 585 | 2 | 1,093 | 3 | 32,744 |
2015 | 22,741 | 64 | 5,495 | 15 | 5,026 | 14 | 828 | 2 | 598 | 2 | 797 | 2 | 35,485 |
2016 | 23,957 | 63 | 6,080 | 16 | 5,337 | 14 | 848 | 2 | 662 | 2 | 922 | 2 | 37,806 |
2017 | 23,866 | 64 | 6,075 | 16 | 5,229 | 14 | 800 | 2 | 680 | 2 | 823 | 2 | 37,473 |
2018 | 23,046 | 63 | 6,374 | 17 | 5,038 | 14 | 868 | 2 | 677 | 2 | 832 | 2 | 36,835 |
2019 | 22,557 | 62 | 6,272 | 17 | 5,044 | 14 | 856 | 2 | 680 | 2 | 946 | 3 | 36,355 |
2020 | 24,135 | 62 | 6,565 | 17 | 5,619 | 14 | 942 | 2 | 609 | 2 | 1,137 | 3 | 39,007 |
2021 | 26,585 | 62 | 7,388 | 17 | 6,084 | 14 | 961 | 2 | 756 | 2 | 1,165 | 3 | 42,939 |
The rate of crash deaths per 100 million miles traveled increased by 2 percent from 1.34 in 2020 to 1.37 in 2021.
Motor vehicle crash deaths and deaths per 100 million miles traveled, 1975-2021
Motor vehicle crash deaths per 100 million miles traveled, 1975-2021 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Deaths | Miles traveled (millions) | Rate |
1975 | 44,525 | 1,330,074 | 3.35 |
1976 | 45,523 | 1,409,163 | 3.23 |
1977 | 47,878 | 1,476,567 | 3.24 |
1978 | 50,331 | 1,548,213 | 3.25 |
1979 | 51,093 | 1,529,133 | 3.34 |
1980 | 51,091 | 1,520,857 | 3.36 |
1981 | 49,301 | 1,550,271 | 3.18 |
1982 | 43,945 | 1,592,481 | 2.76 |
1983 | 42,589 | 1,649,106 | 2.58 |
1984 | 44,257 | 1,716,768 | 2.58 |
1985 | 43,825 | 1,774,762 | 2.47 |
1986 | 46,087 | 1,838,240 | 2.51 |
1987 | 46,390 | 1,924,327 | 2.41 |
1988 | 47,087 | 2,025,586 | 2.32 |
1989 | 45,582 | 2,107,040 | 2.16 |
1990 | 44,599 | 2,147,501 | 2.08 |
1991 | 41,508 | 2,172,214 | 1.91 |
1992 | 39,250 | 2,239,828 | 1.75 |
1993 | 40,150 | 2,296,585 | 1.75 |
1994 | 40,716 | 2,357,588 | 1.73 |
1995 | 41,817 | 2,422,775 | 1.73 |
1996 | 42,065 | 2,482,202 | 1.69 |
1997 | 42,013 | 2,560,373 | 1.64 |
1998 | 41,501 | 2,625,367 | 1.58 |
1999 | 41,717 | 2,691,335 | 1.55 |
2000 | 41,945 | 2,749,803 | 1.53 |
2001 | 42,196 | 2,781,462 | 1.52 |
2002 | 43,005 | 2,855,756 | 1.51 |
2003 | 42,884 | 2,890,893 | 1.48 |
2004 | 42,836 | 2,962,513 | 1.45 |
2005 | 43,510 | 2,989,807 | 1.46 |
2006 | 42,708 | 3,014,116 | 1.42 |
2007 | 41,259 | 3,032,399 | 1.36 |
2008 | 37,423 | 2,973,509 | 1.26 |
2009 | 33,883 | 2,977,591 | 1.14 |
2010 | 32,999 | 2,966,506 | 1.11 |
2011 | 32,479 | 2,946,131 | 1.10 |
2012 | 33,782 | 2,969,433 | 1.14 |
2013 | 32,894 | 2,988,280 | 1.10 |
2014 | 32,744 | 3,025,656 | 1.08 |
2015 | 35,485 | 3,095,373 | 1.15 |
2016 | 37,806 | 3,174,408 | 1.19 |
2017 | 37,473 | 3,212,347 | 1.17 |
2018 | 36,835 | 3,240,327 | 1.14 |
2019 | 36,355 | 3,261,772 | 1.11 |
2020 | 39,007 | 2,903,622 | 1.34 |
2021 | 42,939 | 3,140,088 | 1.37 |
Age and sex
At all ages, males had higher per capita crash death rates than females in 2021. Males ages 25 to 29 had the highest rates of crash deaths, and females ages 12 and younger had the lowest rate.
Motor vehicle crash deaths per 100,000 people by age and sex, 2021 | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Age | Male | Female | Total* | ||||||
Population | Deaths | Rate | Population | Deaths | Rate | Population | Deaths | Rate | |
<13 | 26,442,279 | 503 | 1.9 | 25,248,817 | 414 | 1.6 | 51,691,096 | 922 | 1.8 |
13-15 | 6,774,981 | 273 | 4.0 | 6,456,519 | 183 | 2.8 | 13,231,500 | 458 | 3.5 |
16-19 | 8,794,449 | 1,780 | 20.2 | 8,414,291 | 815 | 9.7 | 17,208,740 | 2,600 | 15.1 |
20-24 | 10,973,238 | 3,092 | 28.2 | 10,550,759 | 1,184 | 11.2 | 21,523,997 | 4,283 | 19.9 |
25-29 | 11,379,058 | 3,225 | 28.3 | 11,013,419 | 1,080 | 9.8 | 22,392,477 | 4,310 | 19.2 |
30-34 | 11,674,304 | 3,073 | 26.3 | 11,428,324 | 1,054 | 9.2 | 23,102,628 | 4,138 | 17.9 |
35-39 | 11,263,833 | 2,596 | 23.0 | 11,035,485 | 973 | 8.8 | 22,299,318 | 3,572 | 16.0 |
40-44 | 10,593,780 | 2,335 | 22.0 | 10,510,756 | 801 | 7.6 | 21,104,536 | 3,144 | 14.9 |
45-49 | 9,875,757 | 2,049 | 20.7 | 9,905,753 | 679 | 6.9 | 19,781,510 | 2,735 | 13.8 |
50-54 | 10,436,202 | 2,274 | 21.8 | 10,470,724 | 775 | 7.4 | 20,906,926 | 3,054 | 14.6 |
55-59 | 10,630,059 | 2,331 | 21.9 | 10,937,255 | 747 | 6.8 | 21,567,314 | 3,080 | 14.3 |
60-64 | 10,333,259 | 2,170 | 21.0 | 10,902,491 | 744 | 6.8 | 21,235,750 | 2,925 | 13.8 |
65-69 | 8,748,213 | 1,665 | 19.0 | 9,646,107 | 611 | 6.3 | 18,394,320 | 2,280 | 12.4 |
70-74 | 7,120,873 | 1,198 | 16.8 | 8,150,929 | 577 | 7.1 | 15,271,802 | 1,779 | 11.6 |
75-79 | 4,472,410 | 862 | 19.3 | 5,432,359 | 512 | 9.4 | 9,904,769 | 1,375 | 13.9 |
80-84 | 2,696,104 | 622 | 23.1 | 3,605,202 | 372 | 10.3 | 6,301,306 | 996 | 15.8 |
85+ | 2,175,943 | 578 | 26.6 | 3,799,813 | 478 | 12.6 | 5,975,756 | 1,059 | 17.7 |
Total* | 164,384,742 | 30,747 | 18.7 | 167,509,003 | 12,051 | 7.2 | 331,893,745 | 42,939 | 12.9 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
From 1975 to 2021, the rate of deaths per 100,000 people declined by 78 percent for people 12 and younger (from 7.9 to 1.8), 66 percent for teenagers (from 29.4 to 10.0), 36 percent for people ages 20-34 (from 29.6 to 19.0), 18 percent for people ages 35-69 (from 17.5 to 14.3), and 46 percent for people 70 and older (from 25.9 to 13.9).
Motor vehicle crash deaths per 100,000 people by age group, 1975-2021 | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | <13 years | 13-19 years | 20-34 years | 35-69 years | 70+ years | ||||||||||
Population | Number | Rate | Population | Number | Rate | Population | Number | Rate | Population | Number | Rate | Population | Number | Rate | |
1975 | 45,851,304 | 3,643 | 7.9 | 29,795,023 | 8,748 | 29.4 | 50,998,098 | 15,074 | 29.6 | 74,764,829 | 13,080 | 17.5 | 14,563,945 | 3,775 | 25.9 |
1976 | 45,000,704 | 3,424 | 7.6 | 29,909,414 | 9,356 | 31.3 | 52,745,005 | 15,517 | 29.4 | 75,419,921 | 13,137 | 17.4 | 14,960,120 | 3,896 | 26.0 |
1977 | 44,337,332 | 3,347 | 7.5 | 29,800,313 | 9,633 | 32.3 | 54,497,448 | 17,287 | 31.7 | 76,203,083 | 13,460 | 17.7 | 15,401,249 | 3,859 | 25.1 |
1978 | 43,907,467 | 3,367 | 7.7 | 29,543,252 | 9,940 | 33.6 | 55,909,063 | 18,886 | 33.8 | 77,348,222 | 14,020 | 18.1 | 15,876,541 | 3,824 | 24.1 |
1979 | 43,778,959 | 3,171 | 7.2 | 29,077,607 | 9,920 | 34.1 | 57,499,197 | 19,675 | 34.2 | 78,311,107 | 14,232 | 18.2 | 16,388,617 | 3,772 | 23.0 |
1980 | 43,914,342 | 3,048 | 6.9 | 28,486,487 | 9,524 | 33.4 | 58,814,391 | 20,110 | 34.2 | 79,111,522 | 14,219 | 18.0 | 16,897,977 | 3,861 | 22.8 |
1981 | 44,049,940 | 2,733 | 6.2 | 27,743,947 | 8,315 | 30.0 | 60,563,416 | 19,887 | 32.8 | 79,785,591 | 13,950 | 17.5 | 17,322,714 | 3,871 | 22.3 |
1982 | 44,131,596 | 2,573 | 5.8 | 27,160,586 | 7,323 | 27.0 | 61,099,524 | 17,465 | 28.6 | 81,488,902 | 12,685 | 15.6 | 17,783,888 | 3,655 | 20.6 |
1983 | 44,119,297 | 2,518 | 5.7 | 26,737,497 | 6,805 | 25.5 | 61,840,154 | 16,853 | 27.3 | 82,861,204 | 12,488 | 15.1 | 18,233,751 | 3,734 | 20.5 |
1984 | 43,978,044 | 2,422 | 5.5 | 26,435,885 | 6,952 | 26.3 | 62,491,255 | 17,579 | 28.1 | 84,256,661 | 13,006 | 15.4 | 18,662,938 | 4,052 | 21.7 |
1985 | 44,260,136 | 2,469 | 5.6 | 26,001,247 | 6,737 | 25.9 | 62,961,154 | 17,031 | 27.1 | 85,628,410 | 13,126 | 15.3 | 19,072,785 | 4,206 | 22.1 |
1986 | 44,755,454 | 2,537 | 5.7 | 25,592,481 | 7,466 | 29.2 | 63,115,889 | 18,132 | 28.7 | 87,205,537 | 13,263 | 15.2 | 19,463,480 | 4,445 | 22.8 |
1987 | 45,348,247 | 2,654 | 5.9 | 25,209,615 | 7,293 | 28.9 | 63,032,298 | 17,676 | 28.0 | 88,808,046 | 14,074 | 15.8 | 19,890,817 | 4,555 | 22.9 |
1988 | 45,942,966 | 2,701 | 5.9 | 25,004,445 | 7,242 | 29.0 | 62,784,739 | 17,613 | 28.1 | 90,464,406 | 14,458 | 16.0 | 20,302,280 | 4,925 | 24.3 |
1989 | 46,690,604 | 2,658 | 5.7 | 24,664,300 | 6,688 | 27.1 | 62,494,056 | 16,512 | 26.4 | 92,250,762 | 14,651 | 15.9 | 20,719,397 | 4,943 | 23.9 |
1990 | 47,472,527 | 2,332 | 4.9 | 24,404,795 | 6,364 | 26.1 | 62,282,683 | 16,366 | 26.3 | 94,140,108 | 14,568 | 15.5 | 21,164,283 | 4,844 | 22.9 |
1991 | 48,240,747 | 2,257 | 4.7 | 24,066,587 | 5,760 | 23.9 | 62,025,750 | 14,949 | 24.1 | 96,068,111 | 13,587 | 14.1 | 21,751,897 | 4,843 | 22.3 |
1992 | 48,903,668 | 2,165 | 4.4 | 24,163,175 | 5,215 | 21.6 | 61,427,100 | 13,445 | 21.9 | 98,214,539 | 13,414 | 13.7 | 22,321,217 | 4,901 | 22.0 |
1993 | 49,335,864 | 2,164 | 4.4 | 24,664,091 | 5,421 | 22.0 | 60,582,332 | 13,456 | 22.2 | 100,399,648 | 13,748 | 13.7 | 22,800,673 | 5,221 | 22.9 |
1994 | 49,692,462 | 2,301 | 4.6 | 25,219,838 | 5,632 | 22.3 | 59,629,351 | 13,020 | 21.8 | 102,541,525 | 14,251 | 13.9 | 23,243,845 | 5,425 | 23.3 |
1995 | 49,920,484 | 2,201 | 4.4 | 25,764,300 | 5,675 | 22.0 | 58,712,407 | 13,330 | 22.7 | 104,712,328 | 15,018 | 14.3 | 23,693,757 | 5,509 | 23.3 |
1996 | 50,085,188 | 2,186 | 4.4 | 26,357,198 | 5,819 | 22.1 | 57,753,910 | 12,869 | 22.3 | 106,975,953 | 15,496 | 14.5 | 24,056,323 | 5,578 | 23.2 |
1997 | 50,364,983 | 2,108 | 4.2 | 26,730,812 | 5,730 | 21.4 | 57,046,569 | 12,334 | 21.6 | 109,232,426 | 15,860 | 14.5 | 24,408,817 | 5,872 | 24.1 |
1998 | 50,527,476 | 2,032 | 4.0 | 27,174,728 | 5,610 | 20.6 | 56,421,053 | 11,785 | 20.9 | 111,331,195 | 16,185 | 14.5 | 24,793,551 | 5,798 | 23.4 |
1999 | 50,667,139 | 1,997 | 3.9 | 27,518,156 | 5,752 | 20.9 | 55,961,401 | 11,840 | 21.2 | 113,451,312 | 16,384 | 14.4 | 25,092,805 | 5,657 | 22.5 |
2000 | 52,219,423 | 1,888 | 3.6 | 28,326,412 | 5,685 | 20.1 | 58,971,709 | 12,174 | 20.6 | 117,114,739 | 16,700 | 14.3 | 25,559,879 | 5,379 | 21.0 |
2001 | 52,341,395 | 1,751 | 3.3 | 28,437,711 | 5,594 | 19.7 | 59,465,066 | 12,375 | 20.8 | 119,060,436 | 16,934 | 14.2 | 25,797,467 | 5,425 | 21.0 |
2002 | 52,332,306 | 1,617 | 3.1 | 28,644,313 | 5,954 | 20.8 | 60,046,068 | 12,609 | 21.0 | 120,913,207 | 17,374 | 14.4 | 26,005,326 | 5,332 | 20.5 |
2003 | 52,187,602 | 1,643 | 3.1 | 29,028,500 | 5,718 | 19.7 | 60,599,350 | 12,365 | 20.4 | 122,772,578 | 17,705 | 14.4 | 26,200,946 | 5,363 | 20.5 |
2004 | 52,151,406 | 1,645 | 3.2 | 29,400,392 | 5,645 | 19.2 | 61,003,240 | 12,620 | 20.7 | 124,762,848 | 17,707 | 14.2 | 26,337,518 | 5,106 | 19.4 |
2005 | 52,149,395 | 1,529 | 2.9 | 29,589,854 | 5,300 | 17.9 | 61,180,772 | 13,023 | 21.3 | 126,831,714 | 18,491 | 14.6 | 26,658,669 | 5,047 | 18.9 |
2006 | 52,306,908 | 1,430 | 2.7 | 29,772,198 | 5,159 | 17.3 | 61,527,219 | 13,142 | 21.4 | 128,907,361 | 18,233 | 14.1 | 26,884,798 | 4,636 | 17.2 |
2007 | 52,585,809 | 1,269 | 2.4 | 29,775,943 | 4,981 | 16.7 | 61,623,322 | 12,531 | 20.3 | 130,500,566 | 17,725 | 13.6 | 27,135,517 | 4,631 | 17.1 |
2008 | 52,929,779 | 1,047 | 2.0 | 29,710,307 | 4,070 | 13.7 | 61,990,546 | 11,406 | 18.4 | 131,908,058 | 16,538 | 12.5 | 27,521,034 | 4,291 | 15.6 |
2009 | 53,753,412 | 1,066 | 2.0 | 29,667,279 | 3,480 | 11.7 | 63,105,881 | 9,940 | 15.8 | 132,693,708 | 15,340 | 11.6 | 27,786,270 | 3,995 | 14.4 |
2010 | 52,937,278 | 962 | 1.8 | 30,247,014 | 3,121 | 10.3 | 62,914,600 | 9,684 | 15.4 | 135,270,594 | 15,015 | 11.1 | 27,957,657 | 4,171 | 14.9 |
2011 | 52,921,253 | 908 | 1.7 | 29,917,216 | 3,033 | 10.1 | 63,965,818 | 9,633 | 15.1 | 136,306,915 | 14,782 | 10.8 | 28,472,279 | 4,071 | 14.3 |
2012 | 52,855,061 | 958 | 1.8 | 29,646,417 | 2,837 | 9.6 | 64,900,433 | 10,210 | 15.7 | 137,323,658 | 15,614 | 11.4 | 29,152,093 | 4,113 | 14.1 |
2013 | 52,719,631 | 940 | 1.8 | 29,551,607 | 2,543 | 8.6 | 65,681,251 | 9,908 | 15.1 | 138,067,096 | 15,298 | 11.1 | 30,040,362 | 4,150 | 13.8 |
2014 | 52,676,380 | 875 | 1.7 | 29,462,818 | 2,630 | 8.9 | 66,367,803 | 9,879 | 14.9 | 139,015,319 | 15,073 | 10.8 | 30,864,009 | 4,206 | 13.6 |
2015 | 52,764,080 | 946 | 1.8 | 29,356,330 | 2,747 | 9.4 | 66,762,737 | 10,608 | 15.9 | 140,231,069 | 16,677 | 11.9 | 31,624,778 | 4,427 | 14.0 |
2016 | 52,811,215 | 1,033 | 2.0 | 29,350,222 | 2,837 | 9.7 | 67,142,780 | 11,368 | 16.9 | 141,361,052 | 17,601 | 12.5 | 32,406,486 | 4,848 | 15.0 |
2017 | 52,726,410 | 949 | 1.8 | 29,387,954 | 2,762 | 9.4 | 67,381,469 | 10,932 | 16.2 | 141,662,252 | 17,670 | 12.5 | 33,964,043 | 5,037 | 14.8 |
2018 | 52,553,599 | 890 | 1.7 | 29,402,794 | 2,496 | 8.5 | 67,504,170 | 10,761 | 15.9 | 142,087,330 | 17,585 | 12.4 | 35,290,306 | 5,026 | 14.2 |
2019 | 52,266,740 | 855 | 1.6 | 29,412,828 | 2,394 | 8.1 | 67,647,658 | 10,259 | 15.2 | 142,410,359 | 17,558 | 12.3 | 36,592,368 | 5,232 | 14.3 |
2020 | 51,887,147 | 850 | 1.6 | 29,367,208 | 2,767 | 9.4 | 67,664,401 | 11,906 | 17.6 | 142,779,669 | 18,724 | 13.1 | 37,785,698 | 4,593 | 12.2 |
2021 | 51,691,096 | 922 | 1.8 | 30,440,240 | 3,058 | 10.0 | 67,019,102 | 12,731 | 19.0 | 145,289,674 | 20,790 | 14.3 | 37,453,633 | 5,209 | 13.9 |
Seat belt use
According to a national daytime observational survey of motorists, seat belt use among front seat occupants was 90.4 percent in 2021.
Seat belt use among fatally injured passenger vehicle occupants 13 and older by seating position, 1995-2021 | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Driver | Passenger | ||||||||||
Belt used | Unbelted | Unknown | Belt used | Unbelted | Unknown | |||||||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
1995 | 6,974 | 33 | 12,692 | 59 | 1,772 | 8 | 2,642 | 29 | 5,577 | 62 | 791 | 9 |
1996 | 7,368 | 34 | 12,331 | 57 | 1,919 | 9 | 2,750 | 30 | 5,706 | 62 | 807 | 9 |
1997 | 7,561 | 35 | 12,288 | 57 | 1,847 | 9 | 2,867 | 31 | 5,497 | 60 | 810 | 9 |
1998 | 7,797 | 36 | 12,033 | 56 | 1,786 | 8 | 2,814 | 32 | 5,169 | 59 | 725 | 8 |
1999 | 7,834 | 36 | 12,252 | 56 | 1,793 | 8 | 2,748 | 32 | 5,249 | 60 | 700 | 8 |
2000 | 8,199 | 38 | 11,841 | 54 | 1,754 | 8 | 2,957 | 33 | 5,212 | 58 | 744 | 8 |
2001 | 8,509 | 39 | 11,638 | 53 | 1,700 | 8 | 2,844 | 32 | 5,178 | 59 | 737 | 8 |
2002 | 8,786 | 39 | 12,028 | 53 | 1,705 | 8 | 3,151 | 35 | 5,093 | 57 | 687 | 8 |
2003 | 9,239 | 42 | 11,274 | 51 | 1,666 | 8 | 3,127 | 36 | 4,851 | 55 | 773 | 9 |
2004 | 9,456 | 43 | 11,027 | 50 | 1,450 | 7 | 3,132 | 37 | 4,768 | 56 | 622 | 7 |
2005 | 9,315 | 42 | 11,133 | 51 | 1,489 | 7 | 3,122 | 38 | 4,551 | 55 | 634 | 8 |
2006 | 9,162 | 42 | 10,874 | 50 | 1,532 | 7 | 2,964 | 38 | 4,250 | 54 | 678 | 9 |
2007 | 8,915 | 43 | 10,070 | 49 | 1,537 | 7 | 2,902 | 38 | 4,007 | 53 | 681 | 9 |
2008 | 7,794 | 43 | 9,160 | 50 | 1,301 | 7 | 2,536 | 39 | 3,495 | 54 | 473 | 7 |
2009 | 7,421 | 44 | 8,199 | 49 | 1,207 | 7 | 2,366 | 40 | 3,031 | 52 | 449 | 8 |
2010 | 7,307 | 46 | 7,497 | 47 | 1,215 | 8 | 2,285 | 41 | 2,872 | 51 | 457 | 8 |
2011 | 7,047 | 45 | 7,356 | 47 | 1,147 | 7 | 2,055 | 40 | 2,650 | 52 | 432 | 8 |
2012 | 7,234 | 45 | 7,505 | 47 | 1,166 | 7 | 2,158 | 41 | 2,665 | 50 | 461 | 9 |
2013 | 7,324 | 47 | 6,988 | 45 | 1,261 | 8 | 2,166 | 43 | 2,439 | 48 | 471 | 9 |
2014 | 7,410 | 48 | 6,906 | 45 | 1,170 | 8 | 2,182 | 44 | 2,309 | 46 | 477 | 10 |
2015 | 8,026 | 48 | 7,289 | 44 | 1,305 | 8 | 2,344 | 44 | 2,473 | 46 | 557 | 10 |
2016 | 8,486 | 48 | 7,721 | 44 | 1,425 | 8 | 2,442 | 44 | 2,562 | 46 | 514 | 9 |
2017 | 8,670 | 49 | 7,603 | 43 | 1,466 | 8 | 2,463 | 46 | 2,339 | 44 | 563 | 10 |
2018 | 8,435 | 49 | 7,399 | 43 | 1,418 | 8 | 2,272 | 45 | 2,320 | 45 | 507 | 10 |
2019 | 8,357 | 50 | 7,108 | 42 | 1,404 | 8 | 2,227 | 45 | 2,261 | 45 | 513 | 10 |
2020 | 8,099 | 44 | 8,376 | 46 | 1,807 | 10 | 2,129 | 42 | 2,401 | 47 | 600 | 12 |
2021 | 9,063 | 45 | 9,169 | 45 | 1,996 | 10 | 2,385 | 43 | 2,499 | 45 | 637 | 12 |
Seat belt use among fatally injured passenger vehicle occupants 13 and older by crash type, 2021 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Initial Contact Point | Restraint used | |||||
Belted | Unbelted | Total* | ||||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
Front | 6,708 | 44 | 7,037 | 46 | 15,328 | 100 |
Side | 3,038 | 54 | 2,058 | 37 | 5,636 | 100 |
Rear | 727 | 55 | 442 | 33 | 1,322 | 100 |
Other (mostly rollover) | 538 | 24 | 1,506 | 68 | 2,214 | 100 |
Total* | 11,448 | 44 | 11,703 | 45 | 25,788 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Speeding
In 2021, speeding was a factor in 29 percent of motor vehicle crash deaths. Speeding has been a factor in more than a quarter of crash deaths over the past decade. Speeding is defined to include crashes in which the driver was issued a traffic citation for speeding or in which driver-related factors included driving too fast for conditions, racing or exceeding the posted speed limit.
Motor vehicle crash deaths involving speeding as a contributing factor, 2012-2021 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Speeding-related | Not speeding-related | Total | |||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | |
2012 | 10,329 | 31 | 23,453 | 69 | 33,782 |
2013 | 9,696 | 29 | 23,198 | 71 | 32,894 |
2014 | 9,283 | 28 | 23,461 | 72 | 32,744 |
2015 | 9,723 | 27 | 25,762 | 73 | 35,485 |
2016 | 10,291 | 27 | 27,515 | 73 | 37,806 |
2017 | 9,947 | 27 | 27,526 | 73 | 37,473 |
2018 | 9,579 | 26 | 27,256 | 74 | 36,835 |
2019 | 9,592 | 26 | 26,763 | 74 | 36,355 |
2020 | 11,428 | 29 | 27,579 | 71 | 39,007 |
2021 | 12,330 | 29 | 30,609 | 71 | 42,939 |
In 2021, the percentage of crash deaths involving speeding was higher on minor roads (33 percent) than on interstates and freeways (29 percent) or on other major roads (26 percent).
Crash deaths involving speeding as a contributing factor by road type, 2021 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Speeding-related | Not speeding-related | Total | |||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | |
Interstates and freeways | 2,240 | 29 | 5,371 | 71 | 7,611 |
Other major roads | 5,800 | 26 | 16,430 | 74 | 22,230 |
Minor roads | 4,220 | 33 | 8,610 | 67 | 12,830 |
All road types* | 12,330 | 29 | 30,609 | 71 | 42,939 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Of the 12,330 speeding-related fatalities that occurred in 2021, about half (53 percent) occurred on roads with speed limits lower than 55 mph.
Motor vehicle crash deaths involving speeding as a contributing factor by speed limit, 2021 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Speeding-related | Not speeding-related | Total | ||||
Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
≤35 mph | 3,075 | 25 | 5,756 | 19 | 8,831 | 21 |
40-50 mph | 3,496 | 28 | 8,311 | 27 | 11,807 | 27 |
55+ mph | 5,259 | 43 | 14,959 | 49 | 20,218 | 47 |
Total* | 12,330 | 100 | 30,609 | 100 | 42,939 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Distraction
A total of 3,349 drivers in fatal crashes that occurred in 2021 were categorized as distracted. Of these, the most common distraction was “generally distracted or lost in thought (daydreaming)” at 65 percent of distracted drivers. These figures are likely underestimates, given that it is often impossible to verify that a distraction was present at the time of a crash.
Distracted drivers in fatal crashes during 2021, by distraction type | ||
---|---|---|
Distraction type | Number | % |
Generally distracted or "lost in thought" (daydreaming) | 2,163 | 65 |
Cellphone use (talking, listening, dialing, texting) | 382 | 11 |
Outside person, object or event, such as rubbernecking | 267 | 8 |
Other distraction, not specified | 110 | 3 |
Other occupants (talking with or looking at other people in car) | 151 | 5 |
Using or reaching for device brought into vehicle, such as navigational device, headphones | 117 | 3 |
Eating or drinking | 42 | 1 |
Adjusting audio or climate controls | 43 | 1 |
Using other device/controls integral to vehicle, such as adjusting rear view mirrors, seats, or using OEM navigation system | 75 | 2 |
Moving object in vehicle, such as pet or insect | 13 | <1 |
Smoking related (includes smoking, lighting up, putting ashes in ashtray) | 7 | <1 |
All distracted drivers | 3,349 | 100 |
Some drivers were coded as engaged in multiple distractions, so the sum of the rows exceeds the total number of distracted drivers. |
When they died
In 2021, February had the fewest crash deaths and October had the most.
Motor vehicle crash deaths by month, 2021 | ||
---|---|---|
Month | Deaths | % |
January | 3,099 | 7 |
February | 2,561 | 6 |
March | 3,214 | 7 |
April | 3,557 | 8 |
May | 3,768 | 9 |
June | 3,789 | 9 |
July | 3,879 | 9 |
August | 4,013 | 9 |
September | 3,861 | 9 |
October | 4,101 | 10 |
November | 3,599 | 8 |
December | 3,498 | 8 |
Total | 42,939 | 100 |
In 2021, about half of crash deaths occurred on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
Motor vehicle crash deaths by day of week, 2021 | ||
---|---|---|
Day of week | Deaths | % |
Sunday | 6,801 | 16 |
Monday | 5,579 | 13 |
Tuesday | 5,219 | 12 |
Wednesday | 5,265 | 12 |
Thursday | 5,738 | 13 |
Friday | 6,941 | 16 |
Saturday | 7,396 | 17 |
Total | 42,939 | 100 |
In 2021, one of every three crash deaths occurred between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Motor vehicle crash deaths by time of day, 2021 | ||
---|---|---|
Time of day | Deaths | % |
Midnight - 3 a.m. | 5,075 | 12 |
3 a.m. - 6 a.m. | 3,629 | 8 |
6 a.m. - 9 a.m. | 3,940 | 9 |
9 a.m. - noon | 3,794 | 9 |
Noon - 3 p.m. | 5,283 | 12 |
3 p.m. - 6 p.m. | 6,545 | 15 |
6 p.m. - 9 p.m. | 7,519 | 18 |
9 p.m. - midnight | 6,827 | 16 |
Total* | 42,939 | 100 |
*Total includes other and/or unknowns |
Days of year with most motor vehicle crash deaths, 2017-2021 | ||
---|---|---|
Date | Total deaths, 2017-2021 | Yearly average |
July 4 | 724 | 145 |
August 4 | 649 | 130 |
July 3 | 648 | 130 |
June 30 | 643 | 129 |
September 3 | 642 | 128 |