Every year, the Department of Transportation (DoT) releases a traffic report. The 2022 statistics are out now, and they don't look good. From a near-record-breaking amount of deaths to a disparity in fatalities between states, there's a lot to unpack here. Buckle up: this could be a bumpy ride.
2022 Was a Deadly Year on American Roads
42,795 people died on the road in 2022. It's a slight improvement from the previous year, but there's still so much work to be done. 2022 ended up being the second-most deadly year in over a decade.
There's no simple explanation for this peak in deaths. One possibility is that some drivers started being more reckless behind the wheel in 2020 (like speeding) when the roads were more empty. As the roads filled back up, they were responsible for more crashes, and we're just now seeing the full impact of it.
How Did 2022 Compare With Past Years?
The death rate in 2022 was 17% higher than in pre-pandemic years. That's a huge difference, especially when you consider that people are driving more or less the same amount as they used to before 2020. Besides 2021, the last time traffic deaths have been this high was in 2005.
Traffic Deaths Vary a Lot By State
2022 was a very uneven year when it comes to deaths. While 28 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico had fewer fatalities than last year, 22 states saw (sometimes sharp) increases.
Safest States for Driving in 2022
Rhode Island had the least amount of deaths, with only 54 people losing their lives on the road.
Massachusetts also did well in 2022, being the state with the lowest rate of deaths per 100 million miles driven.
Most Dangerous States for Driving in 2022
On the other side of the spectrum, we have Texas. The Lone Star State had the most traffic deaths in the country (4,496 people died), despite not being the most populous.
South Carolina also didn't fare well: it had the highest rate of deaths per 100 million miles driven in 2022, followed by Arkansas and Delaware.
Pedestrians Are Especially at Risk
2022 wasn't kind to pedestrians. They're the most vulnerable road users, as they don't have airbags or seatbelts to protect them in accidents. 7,508 pedestrians were killed in crashes in 2022.
California was by far the most deadly state for pedestrians, in part because it's also the most populous. When taking population into account, New Mexico had the most pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people. Iowa had the least.
From the 2022 data we can tell that the most at-risk pedestrians tend to be:
Older people, who may be slower when crossing the road.
Homeless people, who spend more time as pedestrians around highways, sometimes camping near dangerous roads.
Minority communities, whose neighborhoods are often lacking in safe, quality pedestrian infrastructures (such as crosswalks and sidewalks).
2022 was the most deadly year for pedestrians since 1981.
Things May Get Better in 2023
The silver lining in the report is that the tides might shift soon. Fatalities declined for the third quarter in a row in 2022. That's a huge victory after seven consecutive quarters of increases in traffic deaths in late 2020!
Protect Yourself and Others on the Road
These statistics are scary. You could follow all the traffic laws and still come across a reckless driver who doesn't. Enrolling in a defensive driving course could help keep you — and everyone around you — safe. You'll learn how to handle aggressive drivers, inclement weather, and other unexpected situations on the road like a professional. If you don't feel completely secure in your skills, this course may be the confidence boost you need.
