USA Banner

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

People Table 33. Drivers of Passenger Vehicles in Fatal Crashes by Driver-Related Factors and Violations Recorded, 2018-2020

Document
20P33.xlsx (16.28 KB)
Driver-Related Factors 2018: Number 2018: Percent 2019: Number 2019: Percent 2020: Number 2020: Percent
Speeding of Any Kind 6,621 16.5% 6,582 16.7% 7,718 18.8%
Impairment (Fatigue, Alcohol, Illness, etc.) 6,230 15.5% 6,006 15.2% 6,805 16.6%
Failure to Yield Right of Way 3,196 7.9% 3,304 8.4% 3,183 7.7%
Careless Driving, Inattentive Operation, Improper Driving, Driving Without Due Care 2,259 5.6% 2,621 6.6% 3,081 7.5%
Improper Lane Usage 3,246 8.1% 2,954 7.5% 2,834 6.9%
Distraction/Inattention (Cell Phone, Lost in Thought, Eating, etc.) 2,215 5.5% 2,435 6.2% 2,426 5.9%
Failure to Obey Actual Traffic Signs, Traffic Control Devices or Traffic Officers, Failure to Observe Safety Zone Traffic Laws 1,693 4.2% 1,739 4.4% 1,878 4.6%
Operating the Vehicle in an Erratic, Reckless, Careless or Negligent Manner 1,568 3.9% 1,488 3.8% 1,844 4.5%
Overcorrecting 1,494 3.7% 1,427 3.6% 1,534 3.7%
Vision Obscured (by Weather, Roadway Design, Vehicles, etc.) 1,237 3.1% 1,222 3.1% 1,185 2.9%
Driving on Wrong Side of Two-way Trafficway (Intentionally or Unintentionally) 1,005 2.5% 971 2.5% 832 2.0%
Non-Traffic Violation Charged (Manslaughter, Homicide or Other Assault Offense Committed Without Malice) 608 1.5% 638 1.6% 623 1.5%
Improper or Erratic Lane Changing 552 1.4% 540 1.4% 478 1.2%
Ice, Water, Snow, Slush, Sand, Dirt, Oil, Wet Leaves on Road 565 1.4% 523 1.3% 461 1.1%
Road Rage/Aggressive Driving 322 0.8% 324 0.8% 431 1.0%
Following Improperly 389 1.0% 428 1.1% 405 1.0%
Making Improper Turn 523 1.3% 324 0.8% 285 0.7%
Police Pursuing This Driver or Police Officer in Pursuit 209 0.5% 232 0.6% 285 0.7%
Passing With Insufficient Distance or Inadequate Visibility or Failing to Yield to Overtaking Vehicle 206 0.5% 266 0.7% 234 0.6%
Driver has a Driving Record or Driver’s License From More Than One State 301 0.7% 235 0.6% 212 0.5%
Driver Has Not Complied With Physical or Other Imposed Restrictions 154 0.4% 179 0.5% 196 0.5%
Stopping in Roadway (Vehicle Not Abandoned) 146 0.4% 151 0.4% 157 0.4%
Driver Has Not Complied With Learners Permit or Intermediate Driver License Restrictions (GDL Restrictions) 101 0.3% 128 0.3% 147 0.4%
Driving Wrong Way on One-Way Trafficway 124 0.3% 145 0.4% 135 0.3%
Improper Passing Location 48 0.1% 51 0.1% 135 0.3%
Looked but Did Not See 303 0.8% 225 0.6% 117 0.3%
Passing Where Prohibited by Posted Signs, Pavement Markings, or School Bus Displaying Warning Not to Pass 155 0.4% 97 0.2% 112 0.3%
Making Improper Entry to or Exit From Trafficway 40 0.1% 43 0.1% 98 0.2%
Police or Law Enforcement Officer 50 0.1% 52 0.1% 92 0.2%
Operator Inexperience 88 0.2% 91 0.2% 89 0.2%
Alcohol and/or Drug Test Refused 87 0.2% 96 0.2% 84 0.2%
Tire Blowout or Flat 80 0.2% 58 0.1% 80 0.2%
Vehicle in Road 70 0.2% 70 0.2% 75 0.2%
Slippery or Loose Surface 44 0.1% 49 0.1% 66 0.2%
Live Animals in Road 52 0.1% 42 0.1% 62 0.2%
At Least One Driver-Related Factor Recorded 21,535 53.5% 21,125 53.5% 22,454 54.6%
No Driver-Related Factors Recorded 18,687 46.5% 18,381 46.5% 18,660 45.4%
Totala 40,222 100.0% 39,506 100.0% 41,114 100.0%
At Least One Moving Violation Recorded 4,623 11.5% 4,771 12.1% 4,447 10.8%
No Moving Violations Recorded 35,599 88.5% 34,735 87.9% 36,667 89.2%
Totala 40,222 100.0% 39,506 100.0% 41,114 100.0%
aThe sums of numbers and percentages may be greater than the totals shown, because more than one factor may be present for a single driver.
Note: A passenger vehicle is defined here as a car or light truck (including pickups, vans, and sport utility vehicles).
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
Last updated: Monday, March 6, 2023