An estimated 16,750 people died in motor vehicle crashes across the United States during the first half of 2026, a 2.5% decrease from the 17,175 fatalities projected for the same period in 2025, according to preliminary estimates released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The decline comes as vehicle miles travelled (VMT) increased by approximately 12.9 billion miles, or 0.8%, compared with the first half of last year.
The estimated fatality rate also decreased to 1.02 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles travelled, down from 1.05 in the first half of 2025. If confirmed, the rate would be the second-lowest recorded for a first half of the year, behind the 1.01 rate recorded in 2014.
NHTSA's estimates show that fatalities declined in eight of its 10 administrative regions. At the state level, 35 states and Puerto Rico are projected to have recorded fewer fatalities compared with the first half of 2025.
The largest projected decreases included Hawaii, down 32.4%, West Virginia, down 27.8% and Illinois, down 20.4%. Meanwhile, fatalities increased in 15 states and the District of Columbia, with Delaware recording the largest projected increase at 28.3%.
Monthly estimates showed fatalities declining in January, February, March and April compared with the corresponding months in 2025. However, May and June recorded increases of 1.5% and 3%, respectively.
NHTSA cautions that the figures are statistical projections and may change as additional crash data becomes available. The agency expects to release updated estimates covering the first nine months of 2026 in late December.
