Philadelphia Traffic Fatalities Lead Major U.S. Cities

City Controller's latest monthly report focuses on Vision Zero & traffic fatalities data

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 22, 2026

PHILADELPHIA - In recognition of National Traffic Awareness month in August, City Controller Christy Brady reviewed the City of Philadelphia's latest highway safety statistics as part of the office's latest Municipal Money Matters report.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Annual Report, Philadelphia realized 9.04 fatalities per 100,000 population in 2024, the latest available data. The rate increased from 8.64 fatalities per 100,000 in the prior year.

Philadelphia's rate outpaces many other U.S. cities with populations of 150,000 or greater, including:

While Philadelphia leads other major cities, its traffic facility rate has decreased since 2020 where it stood above 10.0.

"Philadelphia is making meaningful progress, but these statistics underscore the need to continue advancing roadway safety efforts," said Brady.

Philadelphia's Vision Zero Task Force was created in 2016 to improve public safety on city streets, including tracking safety data, publishing progress reports, advancing safety legislation, and expanding education to reach its goal of zero traffic deaths. In November 2025, Vision Zero's Action Plan 2030 identified local control over speed limits as a priority, noting that Pennsylvania's standards do not adequately account for urban environments.

In addition, the City of Philadelphia's Fiscal Year 2027 budget includes $30 million in Capital Funding over the next six years to support the Vision Zero program.

"The city is making a strategic investment in public safety on our roads. Every public dollar committed will be held to performance measures to ensure Philadelphia continues to trend downward on traffic fatalities."

The July 2026 Municipal Money Matters report is available on n the City Controller's website: https://controller.phila.gov/

###