Traffic deaths in the U.S. declined by 0.2% in the first nine months of 2022 compared with the same period in 2021, according to the latest National Highway Traffic Safety Administration projections shared Monday. However, fatalities increased by 2% among pedestrians and 8% among cyclists.

NHTSA estimated that 31,785 people died in traffic crashes from January to September, a year-over-year decrease of 65 deaths, even though motorists drove 1.6% more miles than in 2021.

“A reduction in roadway fatalities is welcome, but the 0.2% decline announced by NHTSA follows an unprecedented two-year surge in roadway deaths and dangerous driving,” said Jonathan Adkins, executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Association, in an emailed statement. “Coupled with that is a continued rise in bicyclist and pedestrian deaths, underscoring the urgent need to ensure that road users not in vehicles enjoy the same protections as drivers and their passengers.”

Read the full article about pedestrian and cyclist deaths by Dan Zukowski at Smart Cities Dive.