Even as Americans spent more time on the road during the first three months of 2026, traffic fatalities continued to decline.

An estimated 7,770 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes nationwide during the first quarter of the year.

That's a 4.3% decrease compared to the same period in 2025 and the lowest number of first-quarter traffic deaths since 2015, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The traffic fatality rate dropped to 0.99 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT), the second lowest first-quarter rate on record. The only lower first-quarter rate, 0.98, was recorded in 2011, according to NHTSA.

The encouraging trend comes despite an increase in travel. Americans drove an estimated 785.2 billion vehicle miles during the first quarter of 2026, about 11 billion more miles, or roughly 0.8% more, than during the same period last year.

At the same time, 30 states and Puerto Rico reported declines in traffic fatalities, according to NHTSA.

The latest estimates continue a broader improvement in roadway safety. Traffic fatalities have fallen by more than 13% since reaching a 16-year high in 2022, according to NHTSA.

Still, the agency says dangerous driving behaviors, particularly speeding, continue to claim thousands of lives each year.

In 2024, 11,288 people were killed in speeding-related crashes, accounting for 29% of all traffic fatalities. Another 316,757 people were injured in crashes involving excessive speed, according to NHTSA.

Early estimates show speeding-related fatalities are expected to decline by about 11% in 2025, to an estimated 10,035 deaths. While that would return speeding deaths to levels last seen before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, the problem remains a major public safety concern, according to NHTSA.

"Unless you're a racecar driver on the track, there's no excuse for speeding. Speeding puts everyone's lives at risk, making crashes more severe and less survivable," NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison said while launching the agency's annual Speeding Catches Up with You campaign in Lebanon, Tennessee. "We urge everyone to slow down before Speeding Catches Up with You."

The campaign runs from July 6 through July 31 and encourages drivers to slow down while reminding law enforcement agencies across the country to increase high-visibility enforcement. Many states, counties and cities are also participating through local Speeding Slows You Down enforcement campaigns, according to NHTSA.

Speeding also often goes hand in hand with other dangerous driving behaviors. In 2024, 50% of speeding passenger vehicle drivers involved in fatal crashes were not wearing seat belts, compared to 21% of drivers who were not speeding.

Speeding drivers involved in fatal crashes were also more than twice as likely to have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher than non-speeding drivers, 37% compared to 17%, according to NHTSA.

Young drivers continue to be disproportionately involved in speeding-related fatal crashes. In 2024, 39% of male drivers and 20% of female drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 involved in fatal crashes were speeding, the highest percentages of any age group, according to NHTSA.

Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said the latest traffic fatality numbers are encouraging but emphasized that preventable crashes remain a serious concern.

"These numbers show we're making progress, but one death on our roadways is still one too many," Duffy said in a statement released by NHTSA. "Speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving and failing to wear seat belts continue to cost lives every day."

NHTSA's early estimate is based on crash data submitted by all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, along with travel estimates from the Federal Highway Administration. The agency uses statistical models to estimate nationwide traffic fatalities before final numbers become available.

While the first-quarter figures are preliminary, they suggest the country's downward trend in traffic deaths is continuing. NHTSA will release its final traffic fatality data after states complete their reporting and the agency finishes its analysis.

The agency continues to encourage drivers to obey speed limits, avoid distractions, never drive impaired and always wear a seat belt to help reduce preventable deaths on the nation's roads.

Source: NHTSA