18
Additional Facts
• Nighttime (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) fatalities increased by 12 percent (18,573 in 2019 to 20,729
in 2020). In comparison, daytime (6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.) traffic fatalities increased by 1.4
percent (17,518 in 2019 to 17,764 in 2020).
• Weekend (Friday 6 p.m. to Monday 5:59 a.m.) fatalities increased by 9.5 percent (14,637 in
2019 to 16,022 in 2020). In comparison, weekday (Monday 6 a.m. to Friday 5:59 p.m.)
fatalities increased by 5.0 percent (21,643 in 2019 to 22,718 in 2020).
• Male fatalities increased by 8.6 percent (25,819 in 2019 to 28,033 in 2020), and female
fatalities increased by 1.9 percent (10,495 in 2019 to 10,690 in 2020).
• There were fewer fatalities among people 9 and younger and people 65 and older from 2019
to 2020. Most fatality increases were people 10 to 64, with the 25-34 age group having the
largest increase of 1,117 additional fatalities (6,596 in 2019 to 7,713 in 2020 or a 17-percent
increase).
• Fatal crashes involving young drivers 15 to 20 years old increased by 14 percent from 3,863
in 2019 to 4,405 in 2020.
• Fatalities in single-vehicle crashes increased by 9.4 percent (19,877 in 2019 to 21,741 in
2020). In comparison, fatalities in multi-vehicle crashes increased by 3.7 percent (16,478 in
2019 to 17,083 in 2020).
• Passenger vehicle occupants killed in rollover crashes increased by 13 percent (6,316 in 2019
to 7,107 in 2020).
• In 2020 of the 23,824 passenger vehicle occupants killed, 23 percent (5,419) were ejected
from the vehicles, a 21-percent increase from 4,493 occupants ejected and killed in 2019.
• The number of passenger vehicle occupants killed increased by 7.5 percent in vehicles 10
years and older (14,212 in 2019 to 15,284 in 2020). In comparison, those killed in newer
vehicles increased by 4.9 percent (8,121 in 2019 to 8,517 in 2020).
• There were 2,564 fatalities in crashes involving hit-and-run drivers in 2020, an increase of 26
percent from 2,037 in 2019.
o Of the 6,516 pedestrian fatalities, 1,582 (24%) were involved in hit-and-run crashes in
2020.
o Of the 938 pedalcyclist fatalities, 202 (22%) were involved in hit-and-run crashes in
2020.
• The number of fatalities in distraction-affected crashes, i.e., a crash involving at least one
driver who was distracted, was 3,142 or 8.1 percent of all fatalities in 2020. This represents a
0.7-percent increase from 3,119 in 2019.
• The number of fatalities involving drowsy drivers was 633 or 1.6 percent of total fatalities in
2020. This represents a 9.2-percent decrease from 697 in 2019.
• Table 10 below shows the 2-year and 10-year trends of drivers involved in fatal crashes. The
most noticeable change is the trends for the older population (65+), a vulnerable age group
during the COVID-19 pandemic.
o From 2019 to 2020, drivers 65+ involved in fatal crashes dropped 9.8 percent; all other
age groups increased.
o Also affected is the 10-year trend of drivers 65+ involved in fatal crashes. From last
year’s 10-year trend (2010-2019), drivers 65+ involved had the highest percentage
change (+37%) compared to the other age group.