American roadways experienced a significant decrease in traffic during the pandemic. However, recent data from the U.S. Department of Transportation reveals that by late 2023, people were returning to their pre-COVID driving habits. In December 2023, U.S. drivers covered 5.7 billion more miles on the road compared to the previous year, representing a 2.2 percent increase. This brought the total miles driven for the year to 263.7 billion, indicating a return to normal driving patterns in America.
Analyzing the breakdown by road type, the Department of Transportation Traffic Volume Trends report shows that U.S. drivers traveled 82.9 billion miles on rural roads and 180.8 billion miles on urban roads and streets. Rural roads include interstates and other main roads. When combining both rural and urban road travel, Americans drove a total of 3,263.7 billion miles last year, solidifying their position as the most car-crazy population on Earth.
The peak mileage driven at the end of 2019 was matched again in late 2023, following a substantial decrease in miles driven between 2020 and 2021. During that period, miles driven fell to below 2,850 billion. The pattern of peak driving months has remained relatively consistent over the past three years. Typically, there is a significant increase between April and May, followed by a gradual decline as summer progresses.
While there were fewer drivers on the roads during the pandemic, the situation became more dangerous due to certain factors. With reduced traffic, some individuals took advantage and engaged in behaviors such as speeding and distracted driving. This led to a distressing rise in fatalities, reaching over 39,000 in 2020—the highest number seen since 2007. The numbers continued to climb, reaching almost 43,000 in 2021. However, there was a slight reduction in deaths to around 42,500 in 2022. The trend of decreasing fatalities continued in 2023, with an estimated 40,990 deaths according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The National Safety Council’s data for 2024 indicates a further decline in deaths, with the number of fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles showing a decrease in the early months compared to 2023. Encouragingly, several states have witnessed a decline of over 25 percent in motor vehicle deaths through February of this year. This positive trend in road safety is something to hope for as we move forward in 2024.
In conclusion, the return of Americans to their pre-pandemic driving habits is reflected in the significant increase in miles driven in late 2023. However, this return to normalcy has come with its own set of challenges. The rise in fatalities during the pandemic serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible and safe driving. As the numbers stabilize and begin to decline, there is hope that this positive trend will continue throughout 2024, ensuring safer roadways for everyone.
