WASHINGTON — Americans are logging more miles on the nation’s highways, but fewer people are losing their lives in traffic crashes, according to preliminary federal estimates released Nov. 10, 2026.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 16,750 people died in traffic crashes during the first six months of 2026, a 2.5% decline from the same period last year, according to the agency’s latest preliminary highway fatality report. The decline came even as vehicle miles traveled increased by 0.8%.
At an estimated 1.02 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, the fatality rate for January through June 2026 was the second-lowest ever recorded for the first half of a year, according to NHTSA.
While the overall trend was positive, the decline in traffic deaths slowed during the second quarter of 2026. Fatalities fell just 0.2% from April through June, compared with a 5% decrease during the first quarter. NHTSA’s estimates also showed year-over-year increases in fatalities during May and June.
“Even with near-record low fatality rates, we will continue to work with a sense of urgency to make sure more Americans get home safely,” said NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison. “Through our Pathways to Safer Streets initiative, we are tackling the leading causes of traffic deaths — from reckless driving to impaired driving — while funding critical lifesaving measures like prehospital blood programs.”
For professional truck drivers, who spend much of their working lives sharing highways with passenger vehicles, the figures represent an encouraging trend in overall roadway safety. However, the latest estimates do not separately identify fatalities involving large trucks.
Separate NHTSA statistics show that 5,340 people died in crashes involving large trucks in 2024, down 2.5% from 2023. However, more recent data is needed to determine whether fatalities involving large trucks have continued to decline.
In total, 35 states and Puerto Rico are projected to have recorded fewer traffic fatalities during the first half of 2026, while 15 states and the District of Columbia are projected to have recorded increases.
Linda Garner-Bunch has been with The Trucker since 2020, picking up the reins as managing editor in 2022. Linda has nearly 40 years of experience in the publishing industry, covering topics from the trucking and automotive industry to employment, real estate, home decor, crafts, cooking, weddings, high school sports — you name it, she’s written about it. She is also an experienced photographer, designer and copy editor who has a heartfelt love for the trucking industry, from the driver’s seat to the C-suite.
