Traffic fatalities have declined in recent years, but they remain a serious problem on U.S. roads.
The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that 36,640 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2025, with millions more suffering serious injuries, according to the department.
To address the continued safety challenges on the nation’s roads, the Department of Transportation recently released its updated National Roadway Safety Strategy, outlining how the agency plans to reduce traffic deaths through 2028.
Rather than relying on a single solution, the strategy focuses on several areas, including roadway improvements, stronger enforcement, safer vehicles and faster emergency response.
It's About More Than Driver Behavior
When crashes happen, driver error often gets the blame. But transportation officials say that's only part of the picture.
The new strategy argues that roads should be designed to reduce the chance of severe crashes, vehicles should better protect occupants and emergency responders should be equipped to reach victims as quickly as possible. The goal is to create multiple layers of protection so one mistake doesn't become a fatal one.
The department is also putting added attention on places where the risks are highest.
Although rural roads account for about 31% of vehicle travel, they were the site of 41% of traffic deaths in 2024, according to the report. Longer emergency response times, limited resources and aging infrastructure all contribute to the higher fatality rate.
Tribal communities face many of the same challenges, prompting the department to prioritize additional outreach, funding and technical assistance.
Safer Roads Start with Better Design
Some of the biggest changes won't happen behind the wheel. They'll happen beneath it.
The strategy calls for roadway improvements that have been shown to reduce crashes, including safer intersections, better lighting, improved traffic management and expanded use of intelligent transportation systems. Officials also want to improve work zone safety for both drivers and highway crews while reducing congestion that can lead to secondary crashes.
Commercial trucking is another major priority.
More than 5,300 people died in crashes involving large trucks in 2024, according to the report. The department plans to strengthen oversight of commercial driver licensing, crack down on unsafe carriers and expand truck parking so drivers have safe places to rest instead of pushing beyond their legal driving hours while searching for a parking spot.
Technology Could Prevent the Next Crash
Roadway improvements are only one part of the equation.
The department is also counting on advances in vehicle technology to help prevent crashes before they happen. Systems such as automatic emergency braking, advanced crash notification and other driver-assistance features are expected to play a larger role as newer vehicles replace older ones. At the same time, officials say they will continue developing safety standards for automated vehicles as the technology expands.
Emergency response is another area receiving renewed attention.
Roughly 40% of people who die from crash injuries are still alive when first responders arrive, according to the report. The strategy calls for improved 911 protocols, better coordination between emergency agencies and expanded access to lifesaving treatments, such as prehospital blood transfusions, particularly in rural communities where medical care often takes longer to reach crash victims.
Measuring Success
Many of the recommendations outlined in the strategy will take years to implement, from redesigning dangerous roadways to adding new vehicle technologies. Others, such as expanded enforcement and emergency response improvements, could begin making an impact much sooner.
The department's roadmap extends through 2028, but its success will be measured by something much simpler than the number of projects completed or technologies deployed: whether the nation's annual traffic death toll continues to fall.
Source: USDOT
