U.S. traffic deaths rose in 2020 despite significant decline in road travel

The increase in the rate of 2020 motor vehicle deaths in the U.S. was the largest since 1924, according to a report from the National Safety Council (NSC). More than 42,000 people are estimated to have died on U.S. roadways last year, the largest motor vehicle death tally in 13 years.

The NSC estimates that in 2020:

• 42,060 people died in crashes, eclipsing 2019's estimate of 39,107 — an 8% increase.

• Yet vehicle miles traveled fell 13% compared to 2019, from 3.26 trillion to 2.83 trillion.

• The mileage death rate was 1.49 deaths per 100 million miles traveled, up 24% from 1.20 in 2019.

• The annual population death rate was 12.8 deaths per 100,000 people, up from 11.9 in 2019.

• The NSC also said car crashes caused 4.8 million injuries requiring medical treatment. The injury-to-death ratio was 114:1.

• The estimated cost of deaths, injuries, and property damage to American society in 2020 was $474.4 billion.

The nonprofit did not offer any specific explanation why deaths increased despite fewer miles traveled, but local agencies have blamed the pandemic for an upward trend in speeding infractions and traffic fatalities beginning in the second quarter of 2020.