DOT's Cliff: "Now is the time for all states to double down on traffic safety"

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration publicly revealed its early estimates for traffic fatalities for the first quarter of 2022.

According to the administration's projections, 9,560 individuals died in traffic accidents involving motor vehicles in the first quarter of 2022, an increase of nearly 7% from the same quarter in 2021, when 8,935 fatalities were believed to have occurred, and Aug. 17 news release reported. While the NHTSA projected 1.25 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles in 2021's first quarter, the rate is expected to increase in 2022's first quarter to 1.27 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles.

“The overall numbers are still moving in the wrong direction. Now is the time for all states to double down on traffic safety," NHTSA Administrator Dr. Steven Cliff said in the release. "Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, there are more resources than ever for research, interventions and effective messaging and programs that can reverse the deadly trend and save lives."

Despite a nationwide increase in fatalities, 19 states, as well as Puerto Rico, saw a decrease in road-related fatalities, according to the release. The NHTSA declared its commitment to tracking state-by-state statistics to aid state practitioners, researchers and advocates in discovering any potential trends and which, if any, actions taken by these states are contributing to the drop.