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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration works to reduce the occurrence of distracted driving and raise awareness of its dangers. This risky behavior poses a danger to vehicle occupants as well as pedestrians and pedalcyclists. Driver distraction is a specific type of driver inattention. Distraction occurs when drivers divert their attention from the driving task […]
Little is known about how driving performance and attention change over time with increased automation. The current study assessed the effect of varying levels of vehicle automation on driver performance over time. Participants gained experience with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) across four sessions in the driving simulator. The specific driver assistance system was manipulated […]
T his fact sheet contains information on fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes based on data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and non-fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes from the National Automotive Sampling System (NASS) General Estimates System (GES) and Crash Report Sampling System (CRSS). A change instituted with the release of 2020 data is […]
A statistical projection of traffic fatalities for 2021 shows that an estimated 42,915 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes nationwide. This represents an increase of about 10.5 percent as compared to 38,824 fatalities reported in 2020. This also represents the highest number of fatalities since 2005 and the highest annual percentage increase in the […]
In 2021, seat belt use in the United States ranged from 72.3 percent in the U.S. Virgin Islands to 97.2 percent in California. Twenty-three States, American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands achieved seat belt use rates of 90 percent or higher. These results are from probability-based observational surveys conducted […]
Of the many great things about summertime, few match the fun of a family road trip. So, before you hook up that new boat or camper, or hit the road with your family or friends, take the time to review these summer travel safety tips. Prevention and planning may take a little time up front, but […]
This technical report provides an overview of motor vehicle crashes in 2020. There were 38,824 people killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes on U.S. roadways during 2020, a 6.8-percent increase from 36,355 fatalities in 2019, or 2,469 more people killed in traffic crashes in 2020. The estimated number of people injured on our roadways decreased […]
The Crash Investigation Sampling System provides a comprehensive national traffic crash database. Data collection is accomplished at 32 geographical sites, called Primary Sampling Units. These data are weighted to represent all police-reported motor vehicle crashes occurring in the United States during the year involving passenger cars, light trucks, and light vans that were towed. This […]
The U.S. DOT Volpe Center’s Annual Accomplishments highlights our best work of 2021 and illustrates the sustained impact of the Volpe Center in supporting the U.S. DOT’s top priorities and strategic goals: safety, climate solutions and sustainability, transformational innovation, economic strength and global competitiveness, transportation equity, organizational excellence, and small business innovation research. This year’s […]
More than 6 in 10 people walk for transportation, exercise, relaxation, or for other activities. The benefits of walking extend beyond personal and physical, to environmental benefits that can lead to healthier, quieter, cleaner, and safer streets. Walking can also improve local economies and enhance social and community engagement, leading to more vibrant, resilient, and […]