Surprising Car Accident Statistics You Should Know
Every year the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Safety Council release data on automobile crashes across the United States. Some statistics are expected, but others are genuinely surprising — and understanding them can help you make safer decisions on the road. In the event you are involved in a crash, contact our Colorado auto accident lawyers right away to discuss your case. Here are ten of the most eye-opening car accident statistics from recent NHTSA data.
1. Overall Traffic Fatalities Are Declining But Still Devastating
An estimated 40,990 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2023, a decrease of about 3.6% compared to the 42,514 fatalities reported in 2022. While the downward trend is encouraging and represents the second consecutive year of decline, that number still means roughly 112 people are dying on American roads every single day. Progress is being made, but there is a long way to go.
2. Speeding Remains One Of The Deadliest Behaviors Behind The Wheel
Speeding-related fatalities decreased 3.1% from 12,157 in 2022 to 11,775 in 2023, but still accounted for 29% of all traffic fatalities. That means nearly one in three people killed on American roads died in a crash where speed was a contributing factor. Speeding drivers in fatal crashes are also far more likely to be driving without a valid license and to have prior convictions on their record.
3. Impaired Driving Still Claims Thousands Of Lives Every Year
Alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities decreased by 7.6% from 2022 to 2023, accounting for 30% of overall traffic fatalities. That means roughly 12,000 people lost their lives in drunk driving crashes in a single year. Despite decades of awareness campaigns and strict laws, impaired driving remains one of the most persistent and deadly problems on American roads. In Colorado specifically, impaired driving was involved in roughly 31% of all traffic fatalities in 2024.
4. Running Red Lights Kills Hundreds Every Year
Red light running takes the lives of more than 900 people every year and is responsible for thousands more serious injuries. About half of the deaths caused by red light running involve pedestrians and cyclists who are struck by drivers blowing through intersections. Intersection crashes are among the most violent and unpredictable types of collisions because they often involve direct broadside impacts with little warning time for either driver.
5. Drowsy Driving Is More Dangerous Than Most People Realize
The number of fatalities involving drowsy drivers was 633 in 2023, representing 1.5% of total traffic fatalities. However, safety researchers believe drowsy driving deaths are significantly underreported since it is difficult for investigators to determine after the fact whether a driver was fatigued. Research has consistently shown that going without adequate sleep impairs driving ability in ways comparable to alcohol impairment. Getting only 4 to 5 hours of sleep before driving has been shown to produce impairment similar to having a blood alcohol concentration at or slightly above the legal limit.
6. Distracted Driving Kills Thousands And Injures Hundreds Of Thousands More
In 2022, 3,308 people were killed and an estimated 289,310 were injured in crashes involving distracted drivers. Distracted driving includes far more than texting. Eating, adjusting the radio, programming GPS, talking to passengers, and checking social media all qualify as dangerous distractions. Safety researchers believe these numbers are significantly underreported since few drivers want to admit to being distracted at the time of a crash.
7. Hands-Free Laws Actually Work
Studies from states that have enacted hands-free phone laws show meaningful reductions in distracted driving crashes. In Michigan, a 2023 hands-free law led to a 12.8% decrease in distracted driving crashes within the first year. Ohio saw a 19.4% decline in fatal crashes involving a distracted driver following a similar ban. Colorado enacted its own hands-free law on January 1, 2025, and early data is already showing promising results, with inattentive driving crashes down 19% in the first five months of the year compared to the same period in 2024.
8. Hit-And-Run Crashes Disproportionately Kill Pedestrians
Hit-and-run crashes have been a growing concern on American roads, with fatal hit-and-run incidents rising steadily over the past decade. According to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety research, about 60% of all hit-and-run fatalities involve pedestrians. Drivers who flee the scene after a crash leave victims without immediate assistance and complicate the legal process for survivors and families seeking compensation.
9. Rollover Crashes Are Among The Deadliest Types Of Collisions
Rollover crashes accounted for 28% of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities in 2023. Among passenger vehicle occupants killed by vehicle type, the percentage of fatalities in rollover crashes was highest for pickups at 38%, followed by SUVs at 33%, vans at 25%, and passenger cars at 20%. Taller, heavier vehicles like pickup trucks and SUVs are significantly more prone to rolling over in crashes, particularly on rural roads and highways at higher speeds.
10. Nearly Half Of All Vehicle Occupants Killed Were Not Wearing Seat Belts
Among passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2023, almost half (49%) were unrestrained. Among those killed at night, 56% were not wearing seat belts. Seat belt use remains the single most effective way to survive a serious crash, yet millions of drivers and passengers still choose not to buckle up. In Colorado, seat belt use lags the national average, making this a particularly important issue for our state.
Contact Our Colorado Springs Car Accident Attorneys
If you or someone you love has suffered serious injuries in a crash caused by another person’s recklessness or carelessness, our attorneys can help. At Rector Stuzynski Law Firm, our Colorado Springs car accident attorneys have the experience and resources to build a strong case designed to obtain maximum compensation for our clients. Call us today at (719) 578-1106 for a free consultation. We are available 24/7 and ready to help.
