Washington, D.C. — Newly released data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveals slightly fewer large truck occupants and motorists died in crashes in 2020.

While overall deaths in traffic crashes in 2020 rose to its highest level since 2007 (38,824), fewer people died in accidents involving (commercial and non-commercial) trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 lbs. or more.

According to NHTSA, 831 large truck occupants perished in 2020, down from 893 in 2019 which marked a 31-year high.

Deaths among occupants in other vehicles involved in large truck-related crashes also decreased slightly from 3,569 in 2019 to 3,512 in 2020.

However, nonoccupant deaths surged by more than 9% in 2020 with 622 people killed.

As for injuries, the estimated number of people injured in crashes involving large trucks decreased by 7.8% from 2019 to 2020.

Large truck occupants reported 754 fewer injuries in 2020 while other vehicle occupants and nonoccupants saw a decrease of 11,673 injuries.

Overall, fatal crashes increased by 6.8% in 2020.

The fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled increased to 1.34, a 21% increase from 2019.

The alarming fatality rate is despite the fact the estimated number of police-reported crashes in 2020 decreased by 22% as compared to 2019, and the estimated number of people injured declined by 17%.

Click HERE to access NHTSA’s full report.

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