Fatal car crashes on Connecticut roads declined by 27% in the first seven months of 2025 when compared to statistics over the same period last year, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection announced Monday.
As of last week, there had been 143 traffic-related deaths on state roads this year, according to the University of Connecticut’s Crash Data Repository. That’s 53 fewer fatal car crashes than occurred between January and mid-August last year, the DESPP press release said.
The agency, which includes the Connecticut State Police, said the decline in traffic deaths was even more pronounced on roads patrolled by state troopers. Motorists were involved in 49 deadly collisions on roads under State Police jurisdiction through the end of July, a nearly 30% decline from the 69 fatal collisions during the same window in 2024, the agency said.
In a press release, Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins called the numbers encouraging, even as reckless driving remained a concern.
“Reducing fatal collisions has been a top priority since I took over as commissioner in late 2023,’’ Higgins said. “Across the six divisions that make up DESPP, we are using data to drive our decisions as we work to prepare, protect, and strengthen our state every day.”
The department’s analysis of crash statistics found that fatal collisions occurred most often between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. and on weekdays, Monday through Thursday. Interstate 84 was the most frequent site of deadly crashes, DESPP said.
Sen. Christine Cohen, a Guilford Democrat who co-chairs the legislature’s Transportation Committee, welcomed the promising statistics, but said work to improve safety on Connecticut roadways was nowhere near done.
“I am grateful for the work of the State Troopers and to the partnership of the folks at DESPP and DOT,” Cohen said. “This is a step in the right direction, but the reckless driving happening on our roads remains a huge problem. I am ready to return to the Capitol in February to continue our work in keeping our motorists, cyclists and pedestrians safe on our roads.”
