Road Deaths Drop
Fatalities still elevated from 10 years ago; greater enforcement sought.
An estimated 14 states and Washington, D.C., saw traffic death increases last year.
Pexels/Kaique Rocha
U.S. traffic deaths fell last year for the first time since the 2020 pandemic-era surge began, though fatalities were still well above levels recorded a decade ago.
The 4% decrease still resulted in a sobering number of people who died on U.S. roads: more than 39,000, or 1.2 fatalities per 100 million miles traveled, up from 1.1 in the seven years before the pandemic, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.
The small drop cut road deaths to less than 40,000 for the first time since 2020, when traffic lightened by pandemic shutdowns spurred an increase in speeding and other dangerous traffic habits.
The U.S. transportation department division said it will work with police agencies to try to further reduce deaths by encouraging enforcement of impairment, speeding, distracted driving and seat belt laws.
It estimates that 14 states and Washington, D.C. actually had year-over-year traffic death increases last year.
DIG DEEPER: The Road Deconstructed
More Industry
China as Pacesetter
Automotive leaders huddled on where North America stands in the global picture and how it can strengthen its position against the Asian juggernaut’s surging industry.
Read More →
Find Efficiency in Fixed Ops
A new report shows how service departments can maximize their profitability through efficiency, productivity and the right tools in technicians' hands.
Read More →
Closing the Seat Gap
Mass-market brand vehicle seats are outpacing luxury versions when it comes to customer satisfaction, according JD Power research.
Read More →
Auto Industry Execs Talk Trade, Tariffs
Participants in a U.S.-Canada discussion tallied the costs and compiled a list of remedies, including preservation of the North American trade agreement that the U.S. recently declined to renew.
Read More →
Structure Leads to Optimized Auto Listings
As the average car-buying journey has shifted to a blend of digital and retail, a dealership’s vehicle listings must be optimized to answer shoppers’ questions clearly and accurately.
Read More →
Texas Dealerships Rebranded After Sale
The Norm Reeves group of stores had owned the three rooftops in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth metro area that now operate under a homegrown group’s signature.
Read More →
Positive Equity Reaches Record High
Mainstream vehicle owners who bought a car seven years ago are likely to have positive equity when trading in for a new vehicle, according to second-quarter Edmunds data.
Read More →
All on One Team
Since finance-and-insurance was added to the auto dealership, most stores’ F&I teams have been separated from sales like a car’s trunk is separated from the engine. It doesn’t have to – and shouldn’t – be that way.
Read More →
Auto Dealers Have Some Phone Homework
A midyear study found that stores can do a better job of converting both inbound and outbound calls into customer appointments for increased sales.
Read More →
Hyundai Ventures Aim for Deeper AI Dive
The automaker announced partnerships with several technology industry leaders to pursue an ambitious plan for integrating AI into its manufacturing and well beyond automotive.
Read More →