North Carolina Traffic Fatalities Drop 12% in 2025, State Report Finds
North Carolina recorded a 12% decrease in traffic fatalities in 2025 compared with the previous year, according to the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicle’s annual Traffic Crash Facts report.
The 1,524 people killed in North Carolina roads in 2025 marked the state’s lowest annual traffic fatality in five years. The report also documented a 5.7% decrease in injuries, with 107,076 people injured statewide.
Although fatalities and injuries declined, the total number of crashes increased by nearly 2%, reaching 279,270. The report noted that North Carolina’s population and vehicle miles traveled also increased in 2025. Despite that growth, the state recorded its lowest crash rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in a decade.
The rate of injuries per 100 million vehicle miles traveled also appears to be the lowest in at least 65 years, according to the report.
“These statistics are more than numbers—they reflect lives lost and families forever changed,” writes Paul Tine, DMV Commissioner.
Speeding, Alcohol and Seat Belt Use Remain Concerns
The 144-page report identifies several contributing factors in fatal crashes across North Carolina in 2025:
Speeding: A factor in 22% of traffic fatalities.
Alcohol: A factor in 23.6% of traffic fatalities.
Seat Belt use: 44% of people killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts.
Distracted driving remains difficult to measure accurately. According to the report, distraction data are based on self-reported information and may not fully reflect the scope of the problem. Distraction was reported in 16% of all crashes and approximately 8% of fatal crashes.
The findings highlight continued concerns about driver behavior and the importance of education and enforcement efforts to improve roadway safety.
Teen Drivers Face Significant Risks
NCAST places particular emphasis on young drivers through its Teen Ambassador program, which recruits high school and college students to promote safe driving practices.
According to the report, North Carolina recorded the following statistics for drivers and other road users ages 15 to 19 in 2025:
106 fatalities.
9,762 injuries.
43% of teens killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts.
22.6% of teen fatalities were alcohol-related.
38.7% of teen fatalities were speed-related.
The statistics underscore the importance of addressing risky driving behaviors among young people, including speeding, impaired driving and failing to wear seat belts.
Here in Iredell County
Data from Iredell County shows a decline in crash-related injuries in 2025 compared to the previous year. The county recorded 2,101 injuries in 2025, down from 2,330 in 2024 — a 9.83% decrease.
However, the total number of crashes increased slightly, rising from 5,081 in 2024 to 5,114 in 2025.
Alcohol-related crashes declined from 234 in 2024 to 210 in 2025. Despite the decrease in crashes, injuries associated with alcohol-related collisions increased from 156 to 166 during the same period.
For the full length Traffic Crash Facts, visit here.
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