Fatal traffic accidents involving large trucks decrease in 2024

Fatal traffic accidents involving large trucks have seen a significant decrease in 2024, ending the upward trend that had been sustained for over a decade.

Fatal traffic accidents involving large trucks have seen a significant decrease in 2024, ending the upward trend that had been sustained for over a decade. According to the latest report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 2,523 fatal traffic accidents involving at least one large truck were recorded in the first half of 2024, representing a 1% reduction compared to the same period the previous year.

This decline is particularly notable since fatalities in traffic accidents involving large trucks have steadily increased since 2009. An example of this can be seen in the NHTSA statistics for 2022, where, despite a general decrease in overall traffic fatalities, deaths involving large trucks continued to rise that year.

However, preliminary data for 2023 suggests a reversal of this negative trend, with 8% fewer deaths related to large trucks compared to the previous year, marking one of the most significant improvements across all traffic accident categories.

Results of the analysis of fatalities from traffic accidents involving a heavy truck

The NHTSA found decreases in its 2024 analysis, which were broken down into subcategories. The report shows that fatalities on rural interstate highways remained nearly stable in the first half of 2024 compared to the first half of 2023, while on urban interstate highways, fatalities dropped by 8%. Deaths in nighttime accidents decreased by 4%, as well as fatalities in accidents occurring on weekends.

For the first half of 2024, significant decreases were observed in the number of traffic fatalities in the following categories:

Out-of-state trips – 12% decrease
Ejected occupants – 9% decrease
Urban interstate highways – 8% decrease
Ages between 55 and 64 – 8% decrease
Unbelted car occupants – 7% decrease
Vehicles less than 10 years old – 7% decrease
Total passengers – 7% decrease
Passenger vehicle occupants – 6% decrease
Passenger vehicle rollovers – 6% decrease
Speeding – 6% decrease

The NHTSA report also highlights a widespread decrease in traffic fatalities, with notable increases in the years 2015, 2016, 2020, and 2021. These increases were likely the result of changes in driving behaviors, travel patterns, and transportation options due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Finally, the report on traffic fatalities also reveals that in the second half of 2024, the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled decreased from 1.21 in the second half of 2023 to 1.17, an improvement that coincides with an increase in miles traveled. This more optimistic outlook suggests that, although road risks remain, policies and strategies aimed at improving road safety may be starting to show results.