Traffic fatalities in Maryland last year were the lowest in more than a decade, state officials said Tuesday.

Crash deaths dropped from 582 in 2024 to 480 in 2025, an 18% decrease, according to preliminary data from the Maryland Department of Transportation. It’s the first time since 2014 that the state had fewer than 500 traffic fatalities, and it’s among the five lowest annual totals since 1960, according to a news release.

“The decline we’re seeing in motor vehicle fatalities shows that when we act with urgency and data-driven strategies, we can save lives,” Gov. Wes Moore said in the release. “We will not let up because every Marylander should be able to move safely through our communities.”

Pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities dropped 33% last year, and fatal crashes involving motorcyclists declined 46%.

Road fatalities in the state reached a 15-year high mark in 2023, with 621 deaths reported. Chrissy Nizer, administrator at the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, said fatalities increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although there were fewer drivers on roadways, people were engaging in reckless and dangerous behavior, Nizer said, including high-speed driving. The 2025 data reflects the most significant reduction the state has seen in recent years, she said.

The Moore administration credited the declines to investments in high-risk corridors, as well as increased federal and state highway safety funding.

This year, the state plans to focus on pedestrian, bicyclist and motorcyclist safety, Nizer said, with the state’s Complete Streets policy at the forefront. The statewide policy got a revamp in 2024, which expanded its reach to all major state transportation projects. Complete Streets emphasizes ensuring roads are safe for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as drivers.