Crash fatalities on Virginia's roads hit 14-year high in 2021

Crash fatalities on Virginia's roads reached a 14-year high in 2021, according to data compiled by Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles’ Highway Safety Office. Last year, 968 people died in crashes on Virginia roadways — a 14.3% increase from 2020 and the highest number of annual fatalities since 2007 (1,026 fatalities).

So far this year, the trend has gotten even worse: 245 people have been killed in crashes on state roads – a 12% increase compared to this point in 2021.

Now, officials from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles are urging residents to respond with action to reverse course this year.

“There are immediate, simple actions Virginians can take to save lives on our roadways,” said Acting DMV Commissioner Linda Ford, the governor’s highway safety representative. “This is critically important, as fatalities continue to increase this year. Vehicles and roadways are safer than they ever have been, yet we continue to lose lives to senseless crashes.”

Ford urged drivers to slow down, buckle up, and focus on the task of driving – while never driving impaired or distracted.

“It truly is that simple,” she said.

According to final crash statistics from DMV’s Highway Safety Office, fatalities increased across a number of categories, including speed-related fatalities, commercial motor vehicle-involved fatalities and fatalities of motorcyclists, pedestrians, bicyclists, teen drivers and mature drivers.

Virginia’s increase in overall crash fatalities mirrors a national trend.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 31,000 people died in crashes in the first nine months of 2021 – a 12% increase over the same time period in 2020 and the highest number of fatalities during the first nine months of any year since 2006. A full report about 2021 U.S. crash statistics will be available later this year.

DMV and its highway safety partners are using data-driven strategies to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities on Virginia roadways. Those efforts range from education and enforcement to grant funding, news media engagement and advertising.

“This trend is poised to continue unless Virginians take action,” Ford said. “Most people want to contribute to something greater; by driving safely, you can truly make a difference, not just in your life, but in the lives of everyone with whom you share the road.”

Among the Virginia crash fatalities reported last year were 16 bicycle fatalities – twice as many as there were in 2020. The number of teen driver fatalities also spiked (by more than 55%) from 27 to 42, and motorcycle fatalities were up by more than 17%, from 87 to 102.