55+ Ultimate Car (Automotive) Accident Statistics To Know in 2025

Car accidents are an unfortunate and persistent reality of modern life, representing one of the leading causes of death and injury in the United States. Despite significant advancements in vehicle safety and technology, the latest car accident statistics reveal a complex and challenging landscape. While there are signs of progress in some areas, the human and economic toll remains immense.

This comprehensive report delves into the most current data on automotive accidents, exploring critical trends and projections for 2025. From overall fatality rates to the specific impacts of impaired driving, speeding, and vulnerable road user safety, these statistics paint a vivid picture of the state of road safety in America today.

Top Car Accident Statistics: Editor’s Picks

To understand the immediate scope of the issue, here are the most critical car accident statistics you need to know:

• In 2023, there were an estimated 40,901 motor vehicle crash deaths in the U.S..
• On average, a traffic death occurred every 12 minutes in 2022.
• Alcohol-impaired driving was a factor in 32% of all traffic fatalities in 2022.
• The annual economic cost of impaired driving is estimated at $68.9 billion.
• A record-breaking 1,155 bicyclist deaths were recorded in 2023, the highest number ever.
• A staggering 25% of child fatalities in 2023 occurred in drunk-driving crashes.
• There were an estimated 5.93 million police-reported crashes in 2022 alone.

Overall Traffic Fatality Trends

The Big Picture: How Deadly Are America’s Roads?

Recent data on U.S. traffic fatalities reveals a positive, albeit complex, shift. After a troubling surge during the pandemic, the numbers have started to decline for the second consecutive year. However, the sheer volume of incidents underscores the ongoing public health crisis on the nation’s roadways.

In 2023, the United States witnessed 40,901 motor vehicle crash deaths. This represents a significant 4.3% decrease from the 42,721 fatalities recorded in 2022.

An initial projection for 2023 had forecasted a 3.6% drop to 40,990 deaths, but the final estimate confirmed a more substantial decline.

To put these numbers in perspective:

• Fatalities per capita: The U.S. experienced approximately 12.2 deaths per 100,000 people in 2023.
• Fatalities per distance traveled: The rate was 1.26 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in 2023, a 6.0% decrease from the 1.34 rate in 2022. This rate had already seen a drop from 1.38 in 2021 to 1.33 in 2022, suggesting a sustained improvement in safety per mile driven.

The decline in fatalities is particularly noteworthy because it occurred alongside a 1.6% increase in total vehicle miles traveled in 2023.

This decoupling suggests that the drop in deaths isn’t merely due to less driving but may be linked to more effective safety interventions, improved vehicle technology, or positive shifts in driver behavior.

However, the start of 2022 painted a grimmer picture. The first quarter of 2022 saw 9,560 deaths, a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2021, with a fatality rate of 1.27 per 100 million VMT. This initial upward trend makes the eventual year-end decline a significant achievement.

While fatalities have decreased, the overall number of crashes and injuries remains alarmingly high.

• In 2022, there were an estimated 5.93 million police-reported crashes.
• These crashes resulted in 2.38 million people being injured.
• The frequency of these events is stark: in 2022, one person was injured in a traffic crash every minute, and a death occurred every 12 minutes.

Interestingly, while the fatality rate per VMT has dropped, the injury rate has not seen a similar improvement. The number of people injured was projected to increase by 2.5% to 2.44 million in 2023, and the injury rate per 100 million VMT held steady at 75 for both 2022 and 2023.

This suggests that while crashes may be less lethal, their overall frequency remains a major challenge.

U.S. Motor Vehicle Crash Overview (2022-2023)

The Latest Data: 2024 and Early 2025 Projections

Building on the downward trend observed in 2022 and 2023, the most recent data from 2024 and the first quarter of 2025 confirm a continued and significant improvement in road safety across the United States. This sustained decline marks a positive and persistent shift away from the pandemic-era highs.

The full-year estimate for 2024 saw total U.S. traffic fatalities drop to 39,345, a -3.8% decrease from 2023. This reduction brought the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) down to 1.20, the lowest annual rate recorded since 2019.

This progress was consistent throughout the year, marking a remarkable streak of safety improvements:

• A Streak of Improvement: The U.S. has now experienced 11 consecutive quarterly declines in traffic fatalities through the end of 2024. This sustained period of improvement is a critical indicator of progress.
• First 9-Months of 2024: An estimated 29,135 people died in crashes during the first nine months of 2024, a -4.4% drop compared to the same period in 2023. The fatality rate for this period was 1.18 per 100M VMT.
• First-Half 2024: Fatalities in the first six months of 2024 were estimated at 18,720, representing a -3.2% decrease from the first half of 2023.

The positive trend has continued into the new year. Preliminary data for the first quarter of 2025 shows 8,055 traffic deaths, a significant -6.3% decrease compared to the first quarter of 2024.

This marks the 12th consecutive quarterly decline in fatalities.

Crucially, this drop in deaths occurred even as Americans drove more. Vehicle miles traveled in Q1 2025 increased by 4.3 billion miles (+0.6%) compared to Q1 2024. This resulted in a fatality rate of 1.05 deaths per 100 million VMT for the first quarter of 2025—the lowest Q1 rate since 2019.

The safety improvements are widespread geographically.

• In the first quarter of 2025, 33 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are all projected to have seen a decrease in traffic fatalities.
• Similarly, 9 out of 10 NHTSA regions saw fatality drops during the same period.

Alcohol and Impaired Driving Statistics

The Deadly Impact of Drunk Driving

Alcohol-impaired driving remains one of the most significant and preventable causes of traffic fatalities in the United States. Despite decades of public awareness campaigns, this risky behavior continues to be a major factor in a substantial portion of all road deaths.

In 2022, there were 13,524 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, which accounted for 32% of all traffic fatalities that year.

Preliminary data for 2023 shows a slight decrease to 12,429 deaths, but the proportion remains stubbornly high, with approximately 30% of all fatal crashes involving a drunk driver (with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 g/dL or higher).

The frequency of these tragedies is staggering. In 2023, a person was killed in a drunk-driving crash every 42 minutes on average.

This persistent rate highlights a deeply ingrained behavioral challenge that seems to resist broader safety trends. Even as overall fatalities decline, alcohol’s contribution remains disproportionately high, suggesting that current countermeasures may have reached a plateau in their effectiveness.

The impact of impaired driving is not distributed evenly across the population.

• Gender Disparity: A significant gender gap exists, with the adult male-to-female ratio in drunk-driving crashes being approximately 4:1 in 2022. That year, 9,914 male drivers involved in fatal crashes were alcohol-impaired, compared to 2,562 female drivers.
• High-Risk Vehicles: Motorcyclists had the highest percentage of alcohol impairment among all driver types. In 2023, 26% of the 6,335 motorcycle deaths involved an alcohol-impaired motorcyclist.
• Economic Cost: Beyond the human tragedy, the financial burden is immense. Based on 2019 data, impaired-driving crashes have an estimated annual economic cost of $68.9 billion in the U.S.. This includes medical expenses, property damage, and lost productivity.
• Child Victims: Children are often innocent victims. In 2022, 2,193 child passengers were killed in alcohol-impaired crashes. Tragically, in 2023, 25% of all child fatalities (ages 14 and younger) occurred in drunk-driving crashes, and in over half of those cases (52%), the child was a passenger in the drunk driver’s vehicle.

Alcohol-Impaired Driving Fatalities in the U.S. (2022-2023)

Speeding-Related Crash Data

Speed Kills: The Role of Aggressive Driving

Speeding is a pervasive and deadly behavior that consistently contributes to a significant portion of traffic fatalities and injuries. Its impact is comparable to that of alcohol impairment, cementing its status as a top contributor to preventable road deaths.

In 2022, speeding was a contributing factor in 12,151 deaths, which accounted for 29% of all traffic fatalities. Preliminary data for

2023 shows a slight dip to 11,775 speeding-related fatalities, yet the proportion held steady, with speeding once again contributing to 29% of all crash deaths.

This consistency demonstrates that speeding is not a fluctuating issue but a deeply entrenched behavioral problem. While the number of speeding-related deaths saw a minor decrease, the number of injuries surged.

• An estimated 300,595 people were injured in speeding-related crashes in 2022 (13% of all traffic injuries).
• In 2023, that number rose to 332,598 injured, accounting for 14% of total injuries.

A concerning aspect of speeding is its interconnectedness with other risky behaviors. Drivers who speed are often engaging in other dangerous activities simultaneously.

• Link to Impaired Driving: In 2023, 38% of speeding drivers in fatal crashes also had a BAC of .08 g/dL or higher, compared to just 16% of non-speeding drivers.
• Unlicensed Drivers: A notable 29% of speeding drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2023 did not have a valid driver’s license.
• Youth Risk: Young male drivers are disproportionately represented. 37% of male drivers aged 15-20 involved in fatal crashes in 2023 were speeding.

This clustering of risk factors suggests a dangerous synergy that requires a multi-faceted approach, combining public awareness, automated enforcement like speed cameras, and road engineering designed to naturally calm traffic.

Speeding-Related Crash Statistics in the U.S. (2022-2023)

Drug-Impaired Driving Statistics

Beyond Alcohol: The Growing Drug Problem

While alcohol-impaired driving has long been a primary focus of road safety efforts, a growing and complex threat comes from drug-impaired driving. A landmark 2022 NHTSA study of seriously or fatally injured road users revealed the widespread prevalence of various drugs.

The study found that

19.9% of all road users tested positive for multiple drugs, highlighting a significant trend of poly-drug use in severe crashes. This rate was even higher in the most tragic outcomes; among drivers in cases handled by a Medical Examiner (ME),

33.9% were positive for multiple drugs. This suggests that the combined effects of different substances may significantly increase crash risk and severity.

Breaking down the specific substances reveals a troubling landscape:

• Cannabinoids (THC): The most prevalent drug category was cannabinoids, with 25% of drivers showing THC positivity.
• Alcohol: In this specific drug study, 21.6% of drivers had alcohol positivity.
• Stimulants and Opioids: Other significant findings included 9.8% stimulant positivity and 9.3% opioid positivity in drivers.

It is important to note that a positive test indicates the presence of a drug, not necessarily impairment at the time of the crash. However, the high prevalence points to a disturbing trend. Data from trauma centers and medical examiners further underscores the issue:

• 54.4% of trauma-center drivers were positive for any drug (including alcohol).
• 68.8% of Medical Examiner drivers were positive for any drug.

These high percentages from the most severe crash cases indicate a widespread presence of impairing substances in drivers. This complex issue is compounded by changing drug laws and the difficulty of comprehensively tracking drug involvement in crash data, suggesting the true scope of the problem may be underestimated.

Drug Positivity Among Seriously/Fatally Injured Road Users (NHTSA 2022 Study)

Age-Related Crash Statistics

Age Matters: Young Drivers vs. Senior Safety

Car accident statistics vary significantly across different age groups, revealing divergent trends for the youngest and oldest drivers on the road. The data highlights remarkable long-term progress for teen drivers, contrasted with growing risks for seniors.

Teen & Young Driver Statistics

There has been a dramatic improvement in safety for teenage drivers over the last several decades. In

2023, 3,048 teenagers (ages 13-19) died in motor vehicle crashes. While tragic, this number represents a 65% reduction from the number of deaths recorded in 1975, a testament to the effectiveness of measures like graduated driver licensing (GDL) programs and vast improvements in vehicle safety.

Despite this progress, young drivers (ages 15-20) remain a high-risk group.

In 2022, young drivers accounted for 8.1% of all drivers involved in fatal crashes, despite making up only 5.0% of all licensed drivers. This disproportionate involvement underscores the elevated risk associated with inexperience.

Senior Driver Statistics

In stark contrast to the trend for teens, older drivers are facing increasing dangers.

• In 2022, 7,971 people aged 65 and older were killed in traffic crashes in the U.S.. This was the highest number of fatalities for this age group ever recorded since data collection began in 1975.
• These deaths accounted for 19% of all traffic fatalities that year.
• Beyond fatalities, an estimated 268,622 people aged 65 and older were injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2022.

The upward trend for older adults is alarming. Fatalities in crashes involving drivers 65 and older have risen by 40% over the last decade. This is likely influenced by the growing population of older adults combined with age-related changes that can affect driving ability.

This demographic shift calls for new strategies focused on senior driver safety, including infrastructure adaptations and planning for alternative transportation.

Age-Related Traffic Fatalities in the U.S. (2022-2023 & Historical Context)

Vulnerable Road User Statistics

Pedestrians and Cyclists: The Most At-Risk Groups

While overall crash fatalities have seen a decline, the statistics for vulnerable road users—pedestrians and bicyclists—tell a different and more concerning story.

The safety trends for those outside of vehicles have not kept pace with improvements for vehicle occupants, revealing a critical gap in road safety strategy.

Pedestrian Statistics

Pedestrians face significant and sustained risks on U.S. roads.

• In 2022, there were 7,522 pedestrian deaths, a slight 0.7% increase from 2021 and the highest number recorded since 1981.
• An estimated 67,336 pedestrians were injured in 2022, an 11% increase from the previous year.

While preliminary data for 2023 projects a potential 5.4% decrease in pedestrian deaths to 7,318, this figure remains 14.1% higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

This indicates that despite short-term fluctuations, the long-term trend for pedestrian safety remains deeply troubling.

Bicycle & Cyclist Statistics

The safety outlook for bicyclists is even more alarming.

• In 2023, there were 1,155 bicyclist deaths, which marked the highest number ever recorded in the U.S..
• This record high is part of a long-term negative trend; bicyclist deaths have increased by 15% since 1975.
• The increase has been particularly sharp since 2010, with deaths surging by 87% from the all-time low recorded that year.
• In 2022, cyclist deaths had already risen by 13% to 1,105.

Demographically, the majority of victims are adults. In 2023, 90% of bicyclist deaths were among people aged 20 and older, a shift from historical patterns where younger riders were more affected.

This divergence in safety outcomes—where fatalities are falling for vehicle occupants but rising for pedestrians and cyclists—suggests that current road design and safety strategies disproportionately favor those inside cars.

Creating a safer system for all will require a fundamental re-evaluation of urban planning, with a focus on protected infrastructure like bike lanes and sidewalks.

Pedestrian and Bicyclist Accident Statistics in the U.S. (2022-2023)

Vehicle Type and Occupant Data

What You Drive Matters: Vehicle Safety by Type

The type of vehicle involved in a crash plays a significant role in occupant safety. Historical data reveals major shifts in fatality trends, largely driven by changes in vehicle design, safety standards, and consumer preferences.

In 2023, there were 24,238 passenger vehicle occupant deaths. This number marks a 21% decrease compared to 1975, reflecting decades of improvements in occupant protection technology like airbags and stronger vehicle structures.

However, the trends diverge sharply when looking at specific vehicle types:

• Passenger car occupant deaths have fallen by an impressive 50% since 1975. This dramatic reduction is a clear success story for automotive safety engineering and regulation.
• In stark contrast, SUV occupant deaths have risen nearly 15-fold since 1975. This staggering increase is not necessarily because modern SUVs are less safe, but is primarily a reflection of their massive surge in popularity from being a niche vehicle type in the 1970s to one of the most common vehicle types on the road today.

Gender also remains a consistent factor in crash fatality data. From 1975 to 2023, male crash deaths declined by about 9%, while female deaths decreased by about 5%.

Despite these long-term declines for both genders, the number of male crash deaths has consistently been more than double the number of female crash deaths nearly every year for almost half a century, highlighting enduring differences in risk exposure and driving behaviors.

Distracted Driving Statistics

The Digital Distraction Crisis

Distracted driving remains a persistent and deadly hazard on U.S. roads. While often associated with cellphone use, it includes any activity that diverts attention from the task of driving, such as eating, talking to passengers, or adjusting the radio.

• In 2022, there were 3,308 distracted-driving deaths in the United States.
• Preliminary data for 2023 indicates a slight 1% decrease to 3,275 distracted-driving deaths.
• Beyond fatalities, distracted driving causes a massive number of injuries. In 2023, nearly 325,000 people were injured in traffic crashes involving a distracted driver.

While the slight dip in fatalities is a positive sign, the consistently high number of deaths and injuries shows that awareness campaigns have not been enough to solve the problem.

The constant connectivity of modern life continues to present a major challenge to road safety.

Distracted Driving Statistics in the U.S. (2022-2023)

International Comparison

How America Compares: Global Road Safety Perspective

Comparing U.S. road safety statistics with those of other developed nations provides crucial context and reveals significant room for improvement.

The data clearly shows that the U.S. lags behind many of its high-income peers in protecting its citizens on the road.

In 2022, the U.S. traffic fatality rate was approximately 12.76 deaths per 100,000 people. By comparison, the average rate for the 27 European Union member states in 2019 was 51 deaths per million inhabitants (or 5.1 per 100,000).

The disparity is even more stark when looking at the best-performing countries.

• Sweden, a global leader in road safety, recorded only 22 deaths per million inhabitants in 2019.
• Meanwhile, Romania had one of the highest rates in the EU at 96 deaths per million inhabitants.

A comprehensive analysis from 2013 to 2022 highlights a worrying divergence: while the median traffic death rate in 27 other high-income countries decreased by 19.4%, the U.S. rate increased by 22.5%.

This trend was particularly acute for pedestrians, where U.S. death rates rose by 50% while most other peer countries saw decreases.

By 2022, the U.S. pedestrian death rate was roughly three times the median of these other nations.

This gap suggests that policy and infrastructure choices matter. Many of these countries have successfully implemented a “Safe System” approach, which prioritizes systemic changes to create safer roads, vehicles, and speeds, assuming that humans will make errors. The U.S. has recently adopted this framework in its National Roadway Safety Strategy, signaling a commitment to catching up with international best practices.

Comparative Road Fatality Rates (U.S. vs. EU)

Key Takeaways and Future Outlook

The latest automotive accident statistics present a mixed but clear picture of the state of U.S. road safety. Here are the most critical takeaways:

• Overall Progress is Positive but Fragile: The headline news is good: motor vehicle fatalities have declined for the second consecutive year, even as Americans are driving more. This suggests that safer vehicles and other systemic improvements are having a positive impact.
• Vulnerable Road Users Are Being Left Behind: This is the most alarming trend. Bicyclist deaths reached an all-time high in 2023, and pedestrian fatalities remain significantly elevated. Current safety strategies are not adequately protecting people outside of cars, a failure that demands an urgent shift in urban design and traffic enforcement priorities.
• Behavioral Problems are Stubbornly Persistent: Alcohol-impaired driving and speeding remain two of the biggest killers on our roads, each contributing to nearly a third of all fatalities. Their consistent share of deaths, even as overall numbers fall, indicates these deep-rooted behaviors require more innovative and aggressive interventions.
• Demographics Tell a Tale of Two Trends: We are witnessing a major success story in the 65% reduction in teen driver fatalities since 1975. Conversely, fatalities among older adults (65+) are at a record high and rising, highlighting the need for tailored strategies to support an aging driver population.
• The U.S. Has a Lot of Ground to Make Up: When compared to other high-income countries, the U.S. is an outlier, with significantly higher fatality rates. The success of the “Safe System” approach elsewhere provides a clear roadmap for improvement, focusing on systemic change rather than placing the sole burden of safety on individual road users.

The Bottom Line: While the recent decline in overall fatalities offers a glimmer of hope, the road to zero deaths is long. The immense human and economic costs of car accidents demand a sustained, data-driven focus.

The path forward must prioritize the safety of our most vulnerable road users, tackle persistent risky behaviors with new strategies, and learn from the successful safety models of our international peers.