Federal Traffic Safety Programs: In Brief

In 2021, almost 43,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes, and approximately 2.5 million were injured. This marked the highest number of roadway fatalities in the United States since 2005. The estimated cost of motor vehicle crashes is over $1 trillion annually. The number of deaths and the fatality rate declined from 2006-2014, but have risen since then. The federal government promotes traffic safety through programs at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, FMCSA, NHTSA, motorcoach, highway safety, traffic safety, seat belts, motorcycles, helmets, vehicle safety, Department of Transportation, DOT, bus safety, Federal Highway Administration, FHWA, National Transportation Safety Board, NTSB.