Apr 15, 2025 - News
Charted: Iowa's traffic deaths
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Iowa's rate of traffic deaths has been in a long decline, though it's increased in recent years, according to the latest available National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and state data.
Why it matters: In 2022, 338 people died on highways in Iowa.
- Preliminary state data show that highway deaths increased to 379 in 2023, and that number was 356 last year.
Driving the news: Iowa this month became the 31st state to prohibit any handheld cellphone usage behind the wheel.
- Nearly all U.S. states ban texting while driving, per the Governors Highway Safety Association, though their enforcement rules differ.
The big picture: U.S. traffic deaths per 100,000 people peaked in the 1930s and total deaths peaked in 1972, then gradually declined thanks to vehicle improvements, better infrastructure and public safety campaigns.
- But the rate of crash deaths started rising again about a decade ago, spiking during the COVID-19 pandemic.