The safety of people is at the heart of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s mission. By encouraging responsible driving behaviors and creating conditions that prioritize safety. We can ensure that everyone reaches their destination unharmed. Despite most road users behaving safely, lapses in judgment and risky behaviors still lead to fatalities. Key behavioral safety factors in fatal crashes include:
not wearing seat belts, alcohol impairment, and speeding.
In 2022, speeding alone caused 2,957 fatal crashes, lack of seat belts caused 5,146, and alcohol impairment resulted in 4,627 fatalities. Combining these behaviors significantly increases risks, highlighting the importance of addressing these issues comprehensively. The National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS) focuses on using education, outreach, engineering solutions, and enforcement to tackle persistent safety challenges. By understanding the root causes of risky behaviors, we can better influence safer driving practices and reduce roadway fatalities, especially among vulnerable groups like pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and children. Explore the NRSS dashboard for progress in these critical actions.
