Road Deaths Fell in Q1
NHTSA data marks eight-quarter decrease, though fatalities rose in many states.
Even with the decrease, first-quarter traffic crashes resulted in 8,650 deaths.
Pexels/Pixabay
Traffic fatalities continued a multiquarter decline, hitting two straight years of decreases in the first quarter.
The 3% year-over-year drop translates to a fatality rate of 1.13 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, down from 1.18 a year earlier, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.
The downward trend comes even as vehicle miles traveled rise, albeit modestly in the first quarter at 0.6%.
Even with the decrease, first-quarter traffic crashes resulted in 8,650 deaths. The federal agency said it’s focused on cutting preventable fatalities. It cited 2023 initiatives, including a new U.S. requirement that automatic emergency braking come standard in passenger cars and light trucks by the fall of 2029.
On an individual state basis, it estimates that traffic deaths fell in the first quarter in 30 states and Puerto Rico, and were flat in one state but rose in 19 states and Washington, D.C.
Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today
More Industry
California Launches EV Rebate Program
Participating automakers are matching the state's $13.5 million investment in new electric-vehicle rebates scheduled to take effect later this summer.
Read More →
UN Advances Fully Autonomous Vehicle Framework
While such cars aren’t on the public market yet, the United Nations established a safety-focused regulatory framework that's endorsed by the U.S.
Read More →
Another Carmaker Embraces Robots
Mitsubishi and a Japan-based startup plan to make humanoids at a home-country factory to use in auto manufacturing and to sell to others.
Read More →
Auto Workforce Impacted by Skills Gaps
The transition to electric vehicles has impacted the automotive workforce in many ways, including the need for education and skills training on emerging technologies.
Read More →
Auto Group Transitions to Employee Ownership
An Ohio-based automotive group transitioned to 100% employee ownership, or an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, with the stated intent of supporting its legacy and growth.
Read More →
Amplify 2026 Billed as Turning Innovation Into Results
Reynolds and Reynolds says its annual retail summit will connect dealers with practical strategies, peer insight, and technology-driven ideas.
Read More →
Early Service Introductions
In this video, Josh Krach explains how early service introductions can help each department in the dealership.
Read More →
Automakers Develop Car Sanitizer
Hyundai and Kia say the particular ultraviolet light used in the technology has been demonstrated to kill the vast majority of a potentially harmful bacterium inside a vehicle.
Read More →
European EV Market Hits Record
Seven out of the top 10 electric vehicles sold so far in 2026 in Europe are by European brands, and automakers are seeing the power train fill up their order books.
Read More →
Used EVs Outpace New
While North American electric-vehicle sales remain down year-over-year, May sales saw a 3% increase from April’s numbers as used EVs led the market.
Read More →