Road Deaths in U.S. Could Be Reduced Up To 30% by 2030: IIHS

Highway safety nonprofit group recommends 30×30 plan as a key step toward achieving zero roadway deaths in the U.S.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has proposed a new short-term objective, which it indicates will reduce traffic-related deaths by 30% by 2030, saving approximately 13,000 lives.

The “30×30” plan is part of the broader “Vision Zero” initiative, which seeks to eradicate all traffic-related deaths and serious injuries. Originating in Sweden in 1997, Vision Zero has since been embraced in the U.S. through the Road to Zero Coalition, which is dedicated to eliminating traffic fatalities within 30 years by implementing proactive safety measures.

The United States currently has the highest auto crash fatality rate among 29 different high-income countries. In 2022, there were 42,514 traffic-related deaths, more than double the average of the preceding years. This represents a nearly 30% rise in fatalities since 2014, primarily fueled by a 35% surge in deaths involving pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists.

As a result of these statistics, the IIHS is suggesting that lowering the speed limit on U.S. roads, increasing seat belt use, and reducing the legal blood alcohol concentration for drivers could save thousands of lives annually.

The director of statistical services at IIHS, Eric Teoh, estimates that reducing U.S. speed limits to 65 mph could prevent 3,910 deaths, while achieving 100% seat belt use could save 2,463 more lives, and lowering the legal blood alcohol concentration to 0.05% could prevent an additional 2,018 fatalities.

However, the organization suggests that even more modest measures could prove highly effective. For instance, deploying red light cameras in 10 cities with high fatality rates could avert 78 deaths each year. Additionally, constructing sidewalks along 10% of urban roadways could save 232 pedestrians annually. Moreover, implementing universal helmet laws in five high-risk states is projected to decrease motorcyclist accident deaths by 274 each year.

IIHS 30×30 Road Safety Plan

The IIHS’s 30×30 vision focuses on reducing risky behavior, accelerating commercial vehicle safety, and extending road safety to cover everyone.

To help reduce risky behavior, IIHS plans to continue developing tools for safety advocates and transportation professionals, by partnering with local and state agencies and studying vehicle features to improve driver behavior.

For example, IIHS will further evaluate rear underride guards, side underride prevention and crash avoidance features on commercial trucks in an effort to reduce the number of fatal large truck accidents. This research will also focus on improving commercial fleet operations and addressing the safety of delivery trucks.

In addition, IIHS recommends expanding crash avoidance tests to include bicycle crashes and more pedestrian scenarios, along with research on vehicle characteristics, road infrastructure and other policies that could help reduce pedestrian injury risks.

“Confronting the road safety crisis requires all hands on deck, now more than ever,” Teoh said. “We challenge all our partners — other research organizations; advocacy groups; state, local and federal policymakers; vehicle manufacturers; transportation engineers; public health and safety officials; law enforcement; and insurers — to think about what they can contribute.”