What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to understand why the U.S. has not effectively reduced traffic fatalities in the past 25 years.

April 13, 2026Traffic Injury Prevention3 citations

Why the U.S. lags other countries in reducing traffic fatalities the past 25 years

Key Points

The aim is to understand why the U.S. has not effectively reduced traffic fatalities in the past 25 years.
Analysis of NHTSA priorities and programs
Review of vehicle technologies in crash tests
Examination of causes of traffic fatalities
NHTSA has failed to effectively reduce traffic deaths for over 25 years
Most fatalities occur in older vehicles, not considering crash test technologies
Key causes include risky driving behaviors, such as lack of seatbelt use and alcohol-drug use

Abstract

NHTSA must set priorities and targets for research, programs, and activities that reduce traffic deaths. They must change their leadership, because the Agency has failed its core mission to reduce traffic deaths the past 25+ years. NHTSA focuses on new car technologies in crash tests with no relevance to fatal accidents. Most fatalities are in 10+ year old vehicles, where risky driver behavior is the main cause with no seatbelt use, alcohol-drug use, and aggressive, risk-taking speeding. NHTSA must prioritize risky driver behavior and align State activities to reduce traffic fatalities.

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