DOT/NHTSA 2021 race and ethnicity traffic safety data (DOT HS 813 572)

This edition of Traffic Safety Facts reports data on traffic fatalities in 2021 by race and ethnicity, which might help develop countermeasures for those at risk. Key findings include:

• Of 43,230 traffic fatalities in 2021, White people accounted for 50% while Black or African American people accounted for 17% and Hispanic or Latino people accounted for 16%.
• In 2021, the U.S. population was 59% for White people, 19% for Hispanic or Latino people, and 13% for Black or African American people. American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN) people had the highest traffic fatality rate at 28.51 per 100,000 population, followed by Black or African American (17.53) and Hispanic or Latino people (11.32).
• White people accounted for 60% of motorcyclist fatalities compared to Hispanic or Latino (13%) and Black or African American (12%) people.
• White people accounted for 40% of pedestrian fatalities compared to Black or African American (21%) and Hispanic or Latino (19%) people.
• 65% of AIAN occupants killed in crashes were unrestrained.
• AIAN people had the highest proportion of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities at 43%.