Overall
- Traffic fatalities increased approximately 7.6% from 3,980 in 2020 to 4,285 in 2021.
- The 2021 Mileage Death Rate (MDR) – fatalities per 100 million miles traveled – is 1.38.
Alcohol-Impaired Driving
- Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities (fatalities in crashes involving a driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, of 0.08 or higher) increased 16% from 1,180 in 2020 to 1,370 in 2021.
Drug-Impaired Driving
- In 2021, 52.9% of all drivers killed in motor vehicle crashes, who were tested, tested positive for legal and/ or illegal drugs, a decrease of approximately 5.5% from 2020.
Occupant Protection
- Unrestrained passenger vehicle occupant fatalities in all seating positions increased 12.4% from 782 in 2020 to 878 in 2021.
Motorcycle Safety
- Motorcycle fatalities increased 3% from 549 in 2020 to 565 in 2021.
- Motorcyclist deaths from not wearing a helmet increased 9% from 34 in 2020 to 37 in 2021.
Teen Safety
- Teen drivers involved in fatal crashes (age 15-20) increased 14.8% from 413 in 2020 to 474 in 2021.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety
- Pedestrian fatalities increased 9.4% from 1,013 in 2020 to 1,108 in 2021.
- Bicycle fatalities decreased 8% from 136 in 2020 to 125 in 2021.
Data Sources:
Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS)
Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)
