The 2016 national data shows that:
- Distraction-related deaths (3,450 fatalities) decreased by 2.2 percent,
- Drowsy driving deaths (803 fatalities) decreased by 3.5 percent,
- Drunk driving deaths (10,497 fatalities), increased by 1.7 percent,
- Speeding-related deaths (10,111 fatalities) increased by 4.0 percent,
- Unbelted deaths (10,428 fatalities) increased by 4.6 percent,
- Motorcyclist deaths (5,286 fatalities – the largest number of motorcyclist fatalities since 2008) increased by 5.1 percent,
- Pedestrian deaths (5,987 fatalities – the highest number since 1990) increased by 9.0 percent,
- Bicycle deaths (840 fatalities – the highest number since 1991) increased by 1.3 percent.
NHTSA continues to work closely with its state and local partners, law enforcement agencies, and the more than 350 members of the Road to Zero Coalition [external link] to help address the human choices that are linked to 94 percent of serious crashes. NHTSA also continues to promote vehicle technologies that hold the potential to reduce the number of crashes and save thousands of lives every year, and may eventually help reduce or eliminate human error and the mistakes that drivers make behind the wheel.