US cites ‘crisis’ as road deaths rise 18% in first-half 2021

By TOM KRISHER and HOPE YEN
Associated Press

DETROIT (AP) — The government has reported that the number of U.S. traffic deaths in the first half of 2021 hit 20,160, the highest first-half total since 2006. The estimated number was 18.4% higher than the first half of last year. That percentage increase was the biggest six-month increase since the department began recording fatal crash data since 1975. The spike prompted Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to call the deaths an unacceptable crisis. The department includes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It announced that it will develop a national strategy for steps to save lives on the roads.