aerial view of cars on eight-lane road

More Than 46,000 People May Have Died from Vehicle Crashes in 2022, NSC Preliminary Estimate Shows

The estimate is only down slightly from the actual number of lives lost in 2021.

Millions of people drive on the roads every single day, including those who drive as part of their job. New estimates show that deaths from motor vehicle crashes may be down in 2022, but only slightly.

The National Safety Council’s (NSC) preliminary estimate of 46,270 deaths in 2022 is two percent lower than the 46,980 deaths in 2021, per the data. It’s the second year in a row that NSC’s estimates have exceeded 46,000 deaths.

"From drivers and passengers to pedestrians and cyclists, road users of all ages are perishing in preventable crashes in the United States,” said Lorraine Martin, NSC president and CEO in a news release.

Nineteen states saw an increase in deaths in 2022 compared to 2021, with four of those going beyond 20 percent: Alaska (81 deaths in 2022 versus 64 in 2021), Hawaii (117 versus 94), Maine (177 versus 147) and Wyoming (134 versus 112), per the data.

Oklahoma saw the largest improvement in terms of percentage, going from 735 deaths in 2021 to 554 deaths in 2022, a 25 percent decrease. Idaho, Rhode Island, Washington D.C. and West Virginia also saw a decrease in the number of deaths. The percent changes for these states and the district were between 15 and 20 percent.

“Words matter, and as a country, we need to learn and understand that there are no vehicle accidents. Each crash that occurs on America’s roads is entirely preventable and unacceptable. We must change the way we think about designing and moving around in our communities, understanding that people will make mistakes and the cost of those mistakes should not be serious injury or death,” Martin continued.

To learn more about staying safe on the road, visit NSC.org.

About the Author

Alex Saurman is the Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety.


Industrial Hygiene Product Showcase

  • Safety Knives

    Safety Knives

    The Safety Knife Company LLC has developed a quality range of safety knives for all industries. Designed so that fingers cannot get to the blades, these knives will safely cut through cardboard, tape, strapping, shrink or plastic wrap or a variety of other packing materials. Because these knives have no exposed blades and only cut cardboard deep, they will not only protect employees against lacerations but they will also save product. The Metal Detectable versions have revolutionary metal detectable polypropylene knife bodies specifically for the food and pharmaceutical industries. This material can be detected and rejected by typical detection machines and is X-ray visible. 3

  • Altec Sentry

    Altec Sentry

    Altec’s commitment to safety extends beyond the investments we make in designing and manufacturing equipment. Keeping crews safe on the job is important to us. For nearly 20 years, Altec Sentry has helped employees train and certify Altec equipment operators on safe and proper operation. We are committed to your safety and believe that industry-leading equipment deserves industry-leading training. That’s exactly what Altec Sentry provides. Altec Sentry has a unique array of training options designed to help employers qualify their operators to safely operate and properly maintain Altec equipment. We also provide preparatory courses and practical examinations for National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) crane and digger derrick operator certifications. 3

  • New Enhanced Sound Level Meter!

    New Enhanced Sound Level Meter!

    Casella Launches Its Enhanced 620 Sound Level Meter to Protect Workers from Noise-induced Hearing Loss. The new device offers significant upgrades such as time history profiling, voice notes and GPS. The new device offers significant upgrades over its predecessor, providing users with a greater understanding of noise in the workplace and easier, faster ways to record measurement data. 3

Featured

Webinars