The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its first projections for traffic fatalities in 2024, estimating that 8,650 people died in traffic crashes in the primary three months of the yr.
The present estimate represents a decrease of about 3.2% in comparison with 8,935 estimated fatalities in the course of the same period in 2023.
The primary quarter preliminary data marks the eighth consecutive quarterly decline in traffic fatalities, a trend that began within the second quarter of 2022.
The anticipated decline occurs with a 0.6% rise in vehicle miles covered between January and March. The expected death rate for the initial quarter of 2024 dropped to 1.13 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, down from the projected rate of 1.18 deaths in the course of the same period in 2023.
These traffic fatality statistics are invaluable for business fleets as they highlight the impact of safety improvements and technologies on reducing accidents, which guide fleets in prioritizing investments in vehicle safety features and driver training programs.
Furthermore, the trends provide insights into the effectiveness of roadway safety strategies, allowing fleet managers to regulate their operational practices to reinforce the security of their drivers and other road users further.
“We’re encouraged to see traffic fatalities proceed to say no, but more work have to be done to scale back these preventable tragedies on our roads,” NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman said. “NHTSA is working diligently to save lots of lives and ensure our roads are secure for everybody inside and out of doors of vehicles.”
USDOT Progress Report and 2023 NRSS Actions
Earlier this yr, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) published its 2024 Progress Report, marking two years because the original National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS) was released on Jan. 27, 2022.
Adopting the secure system approach stays the inspiration of the NRSS’ implementation and is pivotal to addressing the fatality crisis for drivers. The progress report provides an update on the department’s efforts to deal with severe and fatal injuries on roadways and details the department’s accomplishments related to addressing the NRSS actions in 2023.
Essentially the most significant actions in 2023 include:
- Awarded $1.7 billion in funding to enhance roadway safety on the local, regional, and tribal levels through the Secure Streets and Roads for All discretionary grant program. Greater than 1,000 communities received funding, representing nearly 70% of all Americans.
- Accelerated the deployment of latest vehicle safety technologies through rulemaking for automatic emergency braking, including for pedestrians, on all recent passenger vehicles and heavy vehicles resembling business trucks.
- Initiated an advance notice of proposed rulemaking for impaired-driving prevention technology standards to tell requirements that may deter behaviors resembling alcohol-impaired driving.
- Updated key road safety regulations, resembling the brand new edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and revised guidance to encourage states using federal aid funds to make use of repaving and rehabilitation projects to enhance safety for all road users.
- Expanded the use and support of the National Emergency Medical Services Information System by accepting data from all 50 states, two territories, and the District of Columbia.
- Welcomed greater than 123 organizations which have joined as Allies in Motion of the NRSS, including 36 state transportation agencies and safety offices.
This Article First Appeared At www.automotive-fleet.com