4,939 drunk-driving related accidents. The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released its early estimate of traffic fatalities for the first nine months of 2021.. NHTSA projects that an estimated 31,720 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes from January through September 2021, an increase of approximately 12% from the 28,325 fatalities projected for the first nine months of . Historically, traffic safety campaigns focused solely on individuals engaging in risky behaviors, primarily through enforcement. Seattle tallied 24 traffic deaths in 2020 14 of them people walking, rolling, or biking. That's why Washington state has adopted Target Zero a goal to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries on Washington's roadways to zero by the year 2030. Washington ranked among the 10 states with the biggest jumps in traffic fatalities last year, climbing from 546 in 2020 to 643 in 2021 an 18% increase. JPEGs of the following infographics are available for download under "Resource Downloads" below. OLYMPIA Washington road deaths reached a 20-year high in 2021, with 663 fatalities. border-width: 1px;
Vehicle crashes include those coded for city streets, county roads and state . For Hoff and other researchers, theres no single explanation for why this year was worse than last, except that the conditions laid out in 2020 have not receded. Well slow down and give them space. The commission said in a news release that statewide data from the first quarter of this year shows 2022 is on track to surpass last year's record rate. After a surprisingly deadly 2020 despite the lower traffic caused by the pandemic and stay-at-home orders, officials hoped that 2021 would see a decrease in the number of fatal crashes. According to the data released by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), officials registered 540 fatal traffic accidents in 2021, the highest number since 2006, when officials reported 578 deadly crashes. That figure was slightly down from 2018, but more than 35% higher than the 2010 . Washington Traffic Safety Commission Speed and distraction are almost certainly at the trends core, said Mark Hallenbeck, director of the Washington State Transportation Center at the University of Washington. A recent poll from Axios asked readers what the state smell of Washington should be. An estimated 20,160 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the first half of 2021, up 18.4% over 2020. Of those killed in 2021, 300 of them were drivers, 141 were pedestrians, 108 were passengers and 93 were motorcyclists. JBLM Army Officer Dies While on Assignment in Thailand, 50,000 New Housing Units Per Year Needed Just to Keep Up With Expected Growth, State Says, Abortions Could Get Less Expensive for Washington Patients as Senate Passes Bill, Arrest Warrant Issued for Washington Woman With TB Who Has Refused Treatment Since 2022, Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions. We have talked 2020 to death, but it is the end of 2021 and this was way worse, said Hoff, research director for the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. Tesla Recalls Vehicles Over Risks Tied To Full Self Driving Systems, Super Bowl Sunday DUI Arrests On The Rise In Washington State, Three-Vehicle Seattle Accident Involving Forklift Results In Fatality, Seattle Police: Hit-And-Run Accident Left Pedestrian In Critical Condition, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, And Subaru Recall Vehicles Over Crash, Visibility Issues. But theres another, more nebulous cause thats even more difficult to track. Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities in 2021. Data Sources. Spokane - Washington State's second largest city and the cultural center of Eastern Washington Metropolitan Spokane is not a huge city with a population of just more than 208,000, but there are many commuters traveling into the city each day, coming in from Spokane County and across the region. 2019 State Traffic Data In this fact sheet for 2019 the . GSBA, Comcast, and other partners are working to address disparities in access to financial resources with the Ready for Business fund. Washington, DC 20590 November 2018. font-size: 13px;
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS May 17, 2022 We drive sober. In a Feb. 8, 2023 letter, 21 state attorneys general sent a letter to Biden and Blinken calling on them to classify the cartels as FTOs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates a 27.1% increase in Washington state traffic fatalities for the first half of 2022 compared to the first half of 2021 . Does include cases where no PTCR is submitted; collects as much pertinent data as possible to code and enter case into FARS database. border-style: ridge;
No one will accomplish this alone. It took years for Paul Ossorio to accept that he couldnt have prevented his brothers death. Maine, Arkansas and Washington, D.C., experienced the sharpest jumps, each over 30%. And we make sure friends and family do the same.. 10,944 teen-driver accidents. Rhode Island saw a 24% increase. In 2020, 40 people died locally in car crashes and 26 died in 2019, data from the commission shows. DOT HS 812 630. font-family: sans-serif;
GHSA's annual spotlight report, Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State: 2021 Preliminary Data, offers a comprehensive look at state and national trends in pedestrian deaths for 2021. Public perception. The full-year estimate of 2021 traffic fatalities also provides a look at state-level estimates during the pandemic. The campaign is running on social media, television and radio, video and audio streaming services, and community-based media outlets in English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Korean, and Somali. Washington saw the sixth-highest surge in 2022 traffic deaths among U.S. states. The figures shown represent traffic fatalities occurring on public traffic ways in Wisconsin reporte d to the Division of State Patrol-Crash Records Unit as of the date shown at t he top of the page. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()). Suite 220 If we build a community of traffic safety around us, we can create the safe and fun summer we all deserve, said McKechnie. Washington, DC 20590855-368-4200. The agency is beginning a summer ad campaign, which it says coincides with the time of year that sees an increase in crashes. We will redouble our safety efforts, and we need everyone state and local governments, safety advocates, automakers, and drivers to join us. Id rather have a road where it feels hard and unnatural to speed. The report comes from the U.S. Department of Transportations National Highway Traffic Safety Association, and shows the rate of people dying in vehicle crashes in the first nine months of 2021 was up about 12% from the same period in 2020. font-size: 9pt;
448. National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund reports fatalities increased 55% in 2021 over 2020, with Covid-19 fatalities the leading cause of officer deaths WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 11, 2022) - The number of law enforcement professionals nationwide who died in the line of duty in 2021 increased 55% over the previous year, according to preliminary data provided 2021 Was Deadliest Year for Law . Olympia, WA 98501 Washington Traffic Safety Commission 621 8th Avenue SE - Suite 409 Olympia, WA 98501 360.725.9860 width: 200px;
-98. As of February 19, 2023 . The alarming trend in Washington state really highlights the fact that we need to think about how we ensure that if someone does make a mistake that its survivable, WSDOTs state traffic engineer Dongho Chang told the Seattle Times. Last year's total of 633 traffic deaths marks a 20-year high, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. Washington Traffic Safety Commission or considered for other purposes in any action for damages arising
Fatality Rates, by State, 2019 Table 2: Trafc Fatalities and Updated: 5:15 PM PST February 4, 2023. "Safer roads and safer speeds are key parts of addressing this crisis of fatalities and serious injuries on our roadways," said Acting FHWA Administrator . The summaries are not considered official reports of a highway crash investigation, but merely a summary of preliminary information presented to an investigating officer. Homicide was the cause of 12 worker deaths (19%), up from 9 (12%) in 2018. Washingtons 6% rise in serious and fatal crashes from 2019 to 2020 was close to average for the country that year, which saw a national 7% spike, according to the National Safety Council. Suspected Serious Injury: 1,938. The state is working to install more roundabouts, which can cut down on deadly crashes through intersections. We fasten our seat belts, and make sure friends and family are buckled up too. OLYMPIA - The Washington Traffic Safety Commission's (WTSC) initial data for 2022 shows the greatest number of deaths on Washington roads and highways since 1990. schedules, list complied or collected for the purpose of identifying, evaluating,
Multiplying the projected . Come one, come all! . | Washington, DC. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. A lock ( LockA locked padlock ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The Office of Traffic Safety compiles statistics on crashes, highway deaths and DUIs within the Silver State. "During 2017 through 2021, 32 percent of fatal crashes in Washington involved alcohol positive drivers," said . 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. that an estimated 42,915 people died in motor vehicle . Washington saw just over a 10% increase, but the increase in Oregon was 29%, and 36% in Idaho. Whatever the average rate might be, Washington officials are not waiting around for the numbers to act. Texas A&M Transportation Institute, College Station, Texas, August 2021. We are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. All of our senses tell us to drive quickly unless theres a bunch of traffic in front of us, he said. The full-year estimate of 2021 traffic fatalities also provides a look at state-level estimates during the pandemic. 360.725.9860, Copyright 2022 Washington Traffic Safety Commission, Young Refugees Take a Seat for Traffic Safety, We All Play a Role in Getting Everyone Home for the Holidays. He pointed to busy streets with stoplights that drivers ignore, such as Aurora Avenue and Lake City Way, both of which were some of Seattles deadliest streets, as theyve been in the past. We have a pissed-off society, he said. Seattle has also recently installed new traffic-enforcement cameras, added more bike lanes downtown and redesigned some dangerous streets like Rainier Avenue. At the same time, Hoff says traffic enforcement has declined substantially since COVID basically, since the early months of 2020. She says thats due to a variety of reasons, from budget cuts to recruitment and retention challenges. A second report analyzing data for all of 2021 found that roadways continued to be extremely dangerous to pedestrians. The 10.5 percent jump over 2020 numbers was the largest percentage increase since the NHTSA began its fatality data collection system in 1975. The 2020-2023 Strategic Transportation Safety Plan set a performance target of reducing fatalities by 15% for the 2020 to 2023 time frame. Its absolutely discouraging, said John Milton, director of transportation safety and systems analysis for WSDOT. USDOT Releases New Data Showing That Road Fatalities Spiked in First Half of 2021, Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities for the First Half (January-June) of 2021, behavioral research findings from March 2020 through June 2021, https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/provencountermeasures/, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology. According to a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), crash deaths in Washington State rose by 34.5% when comparing data from the first quarter of 2021 and the first . However, the numbers for 2021 have not yet been released. Seattle Public Utilities has launched a new program aimed at curbing illegal dumping in the city. Stay connected with NHTSA: Search for open recalls at NHTSA.gov/Recalls | Stay informed with NHTSAs SaferCar app | Receive recall alerts by email | Follow us on Facebook.com/NHTSA, Twitter.com/NHTSAgov, Instagram.com/NHTSAgov and LinkedIn | Watch safety videos on YouTube.com/USDOTNHTSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data visualization portal includes multiple dashboards with information on fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes and fatalities. As traffic returns, 2021s picture is less obvious. margin-top: 0px;
The fatality rate for the first half of 2021 increased to 1.34 fatalities per 100 million VMT, up from the projected rate of 1.28 fatalities per 100 million VMT in the first half of 2020. We can turn the tide and make this a safe summer. "Most of us use roads safely, and we can also influence the smaller number of people who engage in risky behavior. Four people have been arrested in Washington state on drug trafficking charges, according to U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Fire on Lake City Way in Seattle raises smoke, flooding concerns, Be bolder to get light rail done, expert panel tells Sound Transit, WA to end masking requirement in health care, correctional facilities, Seattle has lost 255 acres of tree canopy. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law places a strong emphasis on improving safety and includes the new Safe Streets and Roads for All program, which opened its first round of applications just this week. The numbers for fatal crashes come from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation. **One of the 2014 traffic fatalities is from a crash that occurred on US Park Police territory . Washington State Patrol at the scene of a crash on I-5. 621 8th Avenue SE Suite 409 The fatality rate for the first half of 2021 increased to 1.34 fatalities per 100 million VMT, up from the projected rate of 1.28 fatalities per 100 million VMT in the first half of 2020. 2,623 suspected serious injuries. Monthly State Fatal Crash Report ; 2020-2021 Substance Involved Fatalities; 2020-2021 Nevada Fatal Data; Federal FARS Traffic Safety Facts Nevada; Data Requests; NHTSA (Federal) Data Resources. Alcohol- and drug-influenced serious and fatal crashes remained high in 2021, sustaining a harrowing 25% jump from 2019 to 2020. Any results portrayed here were dependent on the facts of a particular legal matter and results vary from case to case. Nevada Reports. In Washington, traffic collisions increased by 26% from 2019 to . If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. Fill out the form below so one of our legal experts can help you with your legal questions.
We had a small uptick in impairment, we had a small uptick in speeding in terms of a factor. Eight workers died after being struck by objects. This crisis on our roads is urgent and preventable, said Dr. Steven Cliff, NHTSAs Deputy Administrator. It doesnt really help anyone to be getting tickets.. We face a crisis on Americas roadways that we must address together, said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Community-based traffic safety culture enlists the support of the majority of safe road users to effectively encourage others to be safe. Includes cases if crash occurred anywhere on the private roadway as long as no barrier to public access exists. *The MPD Major Crash Unit recorded 41 traffic fatalities in 2006; two additional traffic fatalities that occurred in DC in 2006 were recorded by the Park Police, for a total of 43 traffic fatalities in the District of Columbia in 2006. In 118 of the years fatal crashes, a bicyclist or pedestrian was killed. Washington saw a 6% increase in the same period. The Departments first ever National Roadway Safety Strategy will bring together work being done across USDOT and will put forth a comprehensive set of actions to significantly reduce serious injuries and deaths on our nations roadways. That rate outpaces 574 fatal crashes in 2020 and 538 in 2019, the agency's data shows. Motor vehicle incidents were the leading cause of work-related deaths again in 2019. Traffic Fatalities/Fatal Crashes - 2005-2021.
To learn more about the Safe Streets for All program, which is currently accepting applications for Fiscal Year 2022, please click here. The strategy will recognize that, while the Department has an important leadership role to play in addressing this crisis, it will take concerted and coordinated effort across all levels of government, the private sector, and communities to reverse the current trend. 1975-2020: U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway . Possible/suspected injury collisions: 21,755. Facebook In 2021, and in line with trends seen across the nation, traffic fatalities increased again, jumping by about 9% to 1,230. width: 736px;
It is our observation that these numbers may adjust over time, as additional data becomes available. "We saw . States are encouraged to use the funding to implement programs to address gaps and opportunities identified during the technical assistance effort, expand partnerships, and focus on risky driving as well as safety concerns among vulnerable road users and overrepresented populations. Dynamic performance data tools for state, county, and city-level crash information, Active Transportation User Fatalities Dashboard Demonstration (1 hr 24 mins), General Dashboards Overview and Navigation Demonstration (49 mins), Traffic Fatality Rates and Speed Observation Survey Dashboard Demonstrations Webinar (50 mins), Alcohol or Drug Positive Drivers, Pedestrians and Cyclists Dashboard Demonstration (52 mins). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released its early estimate of traffic fatalities for 2021. Over the last two years, when we talk about risk and safety, its very much been dominated by COVID, she added, noting how traffic safety has simply dropped out of the conversation. Its not a sufficient amount of money to solve the problem; it is a sufficient amount of money to make a difference, he said. Report Year: Location: Jurisdiction: Under 23 U.S. Code 148 and 23 U.S. Code 407, safety data, reports, surveys, schedules, list complied or collected for the purpose of identifying, evaluating, or planning the safety enhancement of potential crash sites, hazardous roadway conditions, or railway-highway crossings are not subject to discovery or . Analyses showed that the change in behavior was more notable among those who had heard or seen media promoting the program. . Information is collected when a crash involves injuries, deaths, or at least $2,500 in property damage.
They cite the illegal actions of the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels and note that their smuggling operations have spread far beyond the U.S.-Mexico border to places such as Virginia, "where fatal overdoses have increased by forty percent since 2021." 35. font-family: sans-serif;
Fatal car crashes and road traffic accidents in Anacortes. font-family: arial;
In 2019, Pennsylvania's traffic fatalities dropped to 1,059, the lowest since record keeping began in 1928. At a state level, Washington has averaged 108,769 collisions and 518 fatalities a year from 2017-2020. Under 23 U.S. Code 148 and 23 U.S. Code 407, safety data, reports, surveys,
Straight and wide roads, combined with quieter and larger cars, remove sensory clues for drivers, making it easier to speed. *2022 and 2023 data are preliminary . Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. More of it is happening, but not one thing is driving it.. For Transit, non-rail modes, including aerial tramway, motor bus, bus rapid transit, commuter bus, demand response, demand taxi, ferryboat, jitney, publico, trolleybus, and vanpool fatalities are excluded because they are counted as Water and Highway fatalities. Forty-four states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are all projected to have had an increase in traffic deaths, as compared to 2020. So with speeds up, lots of bad things happen., At the same time, the cause of the rise in 2021 is proving more complicated to pinpoint than 2020. Washington State district and municipal courts may consider civil and criminal matters related to misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic, non-traffic, and parking infractions, domestic violence protection orders, civil actions of $75,000 or less, and small claims up to $5,000. Download the January-June Preliminary Report. Washingtons rise was around 1% a smaller but nonetheless notable increase. Secretary Buttigieg calls rising traffic deaths a crisis and calls for cooperation among all levels of government, industry, and advocacy to change course. The early estimate report released today also provides the first look at state-level traffic fatality estimates during the pandemic. 2022 is not available as of yet. margin-right: 0px;
Car, truck, bicycle, pedestrian, and motorcycle accidents are all a common occurrence, despite improvements in vehicle safety features, road design . Washington like other states is seeing an increase in reckless driving and fatal crashes, potentially fueled, at least in part, by the pandemic. Washington, DC 20001-1642, 2021 Governors Highway Safety Association, Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State: 2021 Preliminary Data, Bicyclists, Pedestrians and Micromobility, Pedestrian Deaths Are Increasing Faster Than All Other Traffic Fatalities, 7,485 Pedestrians Were Killed in Traffic Crashes in 2021, Pedestrian Fatality Rate Remains at Historically High Level in 2021, Speeding Cited as Factor in More Pedestrian Deaths. This number does not include cases from which the firm has withdrawn or received substitution on. color: white;
Medicare open enrollment is here and SHIBA can help! Summary. Traffic fatalities are on the rise in Washington state and, if something doesn't change, 2022 will be even worse, state officials say. -54. #listDiv {
Privacy Policy | ADA Compliance Disclosure | Site Map. 621 8th Avenue SE Suite 409 GHSA previously issued a report finding there were 2,957 pedestrian fatalities in the first half of 2021, based on preliminary data reported by State Highway Safety Offices. Crash Statistics & Reports. We have an over 50% increase in citations being issued to drivers traveling more than 40 miles per hour over the speed limit, Hoff said. The Utah Department of Public Safety deployed a similar proactive traffic safety culture approach in targeting counties in that state with the lowest seat belt use.
Fatal Crash Summaries. Its our job is to reduce fatal and serious crashes. Driving the news: Road fatalities in Washington spiked by more than 16% between 2020 and 2021, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.. That marks a 20-year high, following a 7% increase in traffic deaths recorded the year . For some safe-street advocates, however, enforcement should come second to design, especially at a time when police involvement in traffic stops is receiving new scrutiny. Early in the pandemic, anecdotal reports from state troopers and road workers suggested behavior behind the wheel had become more extreme a hunch borne out in the rise of speed-related crashes and so-called aggressive drivers. As the roads emptied, drivers could more easily hit triple digits on their speedometers. The model was developed using Tableau 2021.4. Nebraska State/County - Traffic Records Data - 2016-2020. Earlier this week, NHTSA released $740 million in funding for the 402 State and Community Grant Program, Section 405 National Priority Safety Program and Section 1906 Racial Profiling Data Collection Grants. Report Year: Location: Jurisdiction: Under 23 U.S. Code 148 and 23 U.S. Code 407, safety data, reports, surveys, schedules, list complied or collected for the purpose of identifying, evaluating, or planning the safety enhancement of potential crash sites, hazardous roadway conditions, or railway-highway crossings are not subject to discovery or . Nebraska State/County - Drivers Ages 16-20 - Traffic Records Data - 2016-2020. from any occurrence at a location mentioned or addressed in such report,
WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Transportations National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today released the Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities for the First Half (January-June) of 2021, which shows the largest six-month increase ever recorded in the Fatality Analysis Reporting Systems history. KIRO Newsradio Traffic Reporter. The strategy will be rooted in the Safe System Approach principles and identifies significant actions the Department will take to help ensure: Safer People, Safer Roads, Safer Vehicles, Safer Speeds, and Post-Crash Care. Preliminary reports show that 745 people . 37. Today, FHWA is also issuing nine new Proven Safety Countermeasures, which are road design elements that are proven to make roads safer for all users, but are underutilized. Forty-four states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are all projected to have had an increase in traffic deaths, as compared to 2020. According to the data released by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), officials registered 540 fatal traffic accidents in 2021, the highest number since 2006, when officials reported 578 deadly crashes. 2023 Bonneville International. }
That rate outpaces 574 fatal crashes in 2020 and 538 in 2019, the agency's data . 321 N. Pearl St. Centralia, WA 98531 And thats really the number.. In raw numbers, the projected fatalities from the first quarter of 2021 were 116 compared to 156 estimated fatalities in the first . Data estimates show the fatality rate for 2021 was 1.33 fatalities per 100 million VMT, marginally down from 1.34 fatalities in 2020. What they found: Speeding is often accompanied by drunk or impaired driving, he added, noting . Ross: We need more positive role models on Washingtons roads. Preliminary data from the Federal Highway Administration show that vehicle miles traveled in the first half of 2021 increased by about 173.1 billion miles, or about 13%. Updated: 7:17 PM PDT May 31, 2022. With these additions, there are now a total of 28 Proven Safety Countermeasures. Overall, over 600 people lost their lives as a result in 2021, while an additional 2,410 crashes resulted in likely . Washington National; Total Alcohol-Impaired Driving Fatalities: 172: 10,142: Percent of Alcohol-Impaired Driving Fatalities of Total Fatalities: 33.1: 28.1: Under 21 Alcohol-Impaired Driving Fatalities: 17: 906: Percent of Under 21 Alcohol-Impaired Driving Fatalities of Total Under 21 Fatalities: 41.5: 23.3: 2019 Alcohol-Impaired Driving . Nationwide for the entire year, there were 2.32 pedestrian deaths per billion vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in 2021, up slightly from 2.3 the year before but well above the historic average of 1.9. reported in 2020, as shown in Table 1. There were 670 traffic deaths in 2021, the most in Washington since there were 674 fatalities in 1997, said Max Roberts, research associate with the traffic safety commission. Washington ended 2021 with more fatal and serious car crashes than its seen in 15 years. Reflects preliminary reports received by DPS as of October 24 of each year. Washington is a leader in applying this framework to traffic safety. Overall, over 600 people lost their lives as a result in 2021, while an additional 2,410 crashes resulted in likely serious injuries a 16% increase from 2020. The pandemic emphasized the most dangerous parts of those decisions. But there arent. As in 2020, all 10 NHTSA regions are estimated to see increases in fatalities. Traffic Safety Officials Call for Community Participation in Positive Traffic Safety Culture. Snohomish County has yet to see any decrease in collisions or collision-based fatalities within the past four years, averaging 12,680 collisions . Then, as cars began returning in 2021, she hoped maybe the carnage would slow as congestion increased and speeds decreased. GHSA previously issued a report finding there were 2,957 pedestrian fatalities in the first half of 2021, based on preliminary data reported by State Highway Safety Offices. Preliminary data for 2022 indicate the trend in fatalities continues to increase, with more traffic deaths in the first quarter compared with the same timeframe last year. Jim Curtain, project development director at SDOT, said 19 of those deaths were pedestrians, and nearly half involved hit-and-runs. It is promoting a "community-based" approach to curb the increase in fatal crashes and encourages people to talk about traffic safety with each other. background: #FAFAFA;
If there were easy solutions, trust me, the engineering community would have done it, said Hallenbeck. This isn't just a Washington issue either federal safety regulators say U.S. traffic deaths surged in the first nine months of 2021 to 31,720 estimated deaths.