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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 […]
This document describes the current test tools and capabilities established at NHTSA’s Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) for researching the safety performance of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and automated driving systems (ADS) in a closed-course setting. This paper focuses on immediate and future needs for ADAS and ADS closed-course testing and the requirements […]
Motorcycle personal protective equipment (PPE), an important traffic safety countermeasure, can include a safety-certified helmet, impact- and skid-resistant jackets and pants, motorcycle gloves, and sturdy, over-ankle boots. NHTSA, State highway safety offices (SHSO), and motorcycle safety groups conduct programs to encourage motorcyclists to use protective gear, especially helmets, but the impact of these programs is […]
Traveling by school bus is the safest mode for transporting pupils to school (NHTSA, 2020). Donoughe and Katz (2015) analyzed school bus crashes over a decade and found that of the fatal school bus-related crash injuries, 6.2% were school bus occupants. While compartmentalization inside the bus and other safety features outside the bus (such as […]
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) joined state Departments of Transportation and other organizations nationwide today to urge drivers to keep highway workers safe as construction activities increase. They also urged the public to wear orange on April 28 for a national “Go Orange” Day to show their support […]
School bus stop-arm cameras are an emerging strategy used by school jurisdictions and law enforcement agencies to address the issue of drivers illegally passing stopped school buses. A stop-arm camera typically records video of vehicles and/or drivers who pass school buses when the stop-arm is extended. Several States have passed legislation allowing the use of […]
The project summarized data from a variety of sources on the indirect effects of seat belts on school buses. This report is a synthesis of the research findings and includes the results of a literature review and program scan. The findings also include anecdotal observations from bus drivers and school district officials obtained from a […]