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North Carolina Releases 2024 Traffic Crash Data Highlighting Post-2020 Fatality Trends
(MENAFN- EIN Presswire) EINPresswire/ -- North Carolina has made dramatic progress in traffic safety over the past six decades but new research shows that a sharp rise in fatalities beginning in 2020 has reversed years of improvement and raised serious concerns for drivers statewide.
A comprehensive analysis conducted by Stewart Law Offices, a personal injury law firm in Charlotte, NC for more than 30 years, examined official North Carolina Department of Transportation crash data from 1960 through 2024. The findings reveal that while roads are far safer today than they were in the 1960s, recent years have seen crashes become more deadly even as overall accident numbers decline.
The trend is especially relevant to Charlotte, where 32,932 crashes in 2023 resulted in 105 fatalities, reflecting the same pattern seen across the state.
Six Decades of Life Saving Progress
The historical data highlights just how far North Carolina has come. In 1960 the state recorded a traffic death rate of 26.91 deaths per 100,000 residents. By 2019 that number had fallen to 14.02, representing a 48 percent reduction despite significant population growth and increased vehicle use.
“The progress made over the past 60 years is remarkable,” said a spokesperson for Stewart Law Offices.“Advances in vehicle safety improved road design and stronger traffic laws have saved countless lives.”
Key findings from the long term data include
The most dangerous period occurred during the mid 1960s through early 1970s when death rates routinely exceeded 25 per 100,000 residents
The worst year on record was 1968 with 41.02 deaths per 100,000 residents
Fatality rates steadily declined beginning in the 1980s falling below 20 per 100,000 by 1990
The safest year on record was 2011 with 12.49 deaths per 100,000 residents, less than half the 1960 rate
A Troubling Reversal After 2020
That steady improvement changed abruptly in 2020.
After reaching near historic lows in 2019 North Carolina's traffic death rate jumped 13 percent in a single year rising to 15.88 deaths per 100,000 residents, the highest level since 2007. Unlike previous spikes this increase has not corrected itself.
In 2021 the rate climbed further to 16.90, the highest since 2006
In 2022 and 2023 rates remained above 15.5
In 2024 the death rate stayed elevated at 15.68, well above pre 2020 levels
What makes the trend particularly concerning is that total crashes declined during this period.
In 2019 North Carolina recorded 232.7 crashes per 100,000 residents. By 2024 that number fell to 223.98. Despite fewer crashes more of them resulted in fatalities.
Crashes Are Becoming More Severe
The analysis shows a clear increase in crash severity.
In 2019 there were 1.20 deaths per 100 crashes
By 2024 that figure rose to 1.36 deaths per 100 crashes, a 13 percent increase
Traffic safety experts attribute this shift to a combination of factors including higher driving speeds increased distracted driving impaired driving and the growing presence of larger heavier vehicles such as SUVs and trucks. Aggressive driving behaviors that emerged during the pandemic have also persisted.
Charlotte's Impact
As North Carolina's largest city Charlotte represents a significant portion of the state's traffic safety burden. In 2023 the city recorded
32,932 crashes
105 fatalities
16,066 injuries
These numbers account for nearly 12 percent of all crashes statewide, highlighting the need for continued safety improvements in the Charlotte metropolitan area.
Renewed Focus Needed
“These are not abstract statistics,” said Stewart Law Offices.“Each number represents a real person and a family whose life was changed forever. After decades of progress this level of backsliding is unacceptable.”
The firm notes that while individual driver behavior plays a role the persistence of these trends suggests broader systemic issues that require attention from policymakers traffic engineers and law enforcement.
About the Analysis
Stewart Law Offices reviewed official North Carolina Department of Transportation traffic crash data from 1960 through 2024, examining trends in total crashes injuries and fatalities adjusted for population growth. Founded in 1995 the firm has represented injury victims across North Carolina for nearly three decades including residents throughout Mecklenburg County from its Charlotte office.
Families affected by serious traffic accidents may contact Stewart Law Offices for a free consultation to discuss their legal rights and options for recovery.
A comprehensive analysis conducted by Stewart Law Offices, a personal injury law firm in Charlotte, NC for more than 30 years, examined official North Carolina Department of Transportation crash data from 1960 through 2024. The findings reveal that while roads are far safer today than they were in the 1960s, recent years have seen crashes become more deadly even as overall accident numbers decline.
The trend is especially relevant to Charlotte, where 32,932 crashes in 2023 resulted in 105 fatalities, reflecting the same pattern seen across the state.
Six Decades of Life Saving Progress
The historical data highlights just how far North Carolina has come. In 1960 the state recorded a traffic death rate of 26.91 deaths per 100,000 residents. By 2019 that number had fallen to 14.02, representing a 48 percent reduction despite significant population growth and increased vehicle use.
“The progress made over the past 60 years is remarkable,” said a spokesperson for Stewart Law Offices.“Advances in vehicle safety improved road design and stronger traffic laws have saved countless lives.”
Key findings from the long term data include
The most dangerous period occurred during the mid 1960s through early 1970s when death rates routinely exceeded 25 per 100,000 residents
The worst year on record was 1968 with 41.02 deaths per 100,000 residents
Fatality rates steadily declined beginning in the 1980s falling below 20 per 100,000 by 1990
The safest year on record was 2011 with 12.49 deaths per 100,000 residents, less than half the 1960 rate
A Troubling Reversal After 2020
That steady improvement changed abruptly in 2020.
After reaching near historic lows in 2019 North Carolina's traffic death rate jumped 13 percent in a single year rising to 15.88 deaths per 100,000 residents, the highest level since 2007. Unlike previous spikes this increase has not corrected itself.
In 2021 the rate climbed further to 16.90, the highest since 2006
In 2022 and 2023 rates remained above 15.5
In 2024 the death rate stayed elevated at 15.68, well above pre 2020 levels
What makes the trend particularly concerning is that total crashes declined during this period.
In 2019 North Carolina recorded 232.7 crashes per 100,000 residents. By 2024 that number fell to 223.98. Despite fewer crashes more of them resulted in fatalities.
Crashes Are Becoming More Severe
The analysis shows a clear increase in crash severity.
In 2019 there were 1.20 deaths per 100 crashes
By 2024 that figure rose to 1.36 deaths per 100 crashes, a 13 percent increase
Traffic safety experts attribute this shift to a combination of factors including higher driving speeds increased distracted driving impaired driving and the growing presence of larger heavier vehicles such as SUVs and trucks. Aggressive driving behaviors that emerged during the pandemic have also persisted.
Charlotte's Impact
As North Carolina's largest city Charlotte represents a significant portion of the state's traffic safety burden. In 2023 the city recorded
32,932 crashes
105 fatalities
16,066 injuries
These numbers account for nearly 12 percent of all crashes statewide, highlighting the need for continued safety improvements in the Charlotte metropolitan area.
Renewed Focus Needed
“These are not abstract statistics,” said Stewart Law Offices.“Each number represents a real person and a family whose life was changed forever. After decades of progress this level of backsliding is unacceptable.”
The firm notes that while individual driver behavior plays a role the persistence of these trends suggests broader systemic issues that require attention from policymakers traffic engineers and law enforcement.
About the Analysis
Stewart Law Offices reviewed official North Carolina Department of Transportation traffic crash data from 1960 through 2024, examining trends in total crashes injuries and fatalities adjusted for population growth. Founded in 1995 the firm has represented injury victims across North Carolina for nearly three decades including residents throughout Mecklenburg County from its Charlotte office.
Families affected by serious traffic accidents may contact Stewart Law Offices for a free consultation to discuss their legal rights and options for recovery.
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