Little Rock – The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) announced that the state’s traffic death toll has decreased roughly 8% between 2020 and 2025, even as Arkansas remains the nation’s sixth‑highest fatality rate in 2025, according to a report from the transportation research group TRIP.

Mixed picture on overall trends

The TRIP study counted more than 3,700 traffic‑related deaths in Arkansas from 2020 through 2025 and noted an 8% rise in fatalities when the decade‑long span from 2015 to 2025 is considered. ARDOT spokesperson Dave Parker echoed the report’s longer‑term view, saying the department’s own data show a 5% increase over that period.

“We don’t like being on any list like this,” Parker said. “We have work to do.”

Recent progress

Despite the broader increase, Parker emphasized the recent decline as a sign of progress. “Our figures show traffic fatalities have declined about 8% from 2020 to 2025,” he explained, adding that ARDOT is continuing safety campaigns aimed at work zones, young drivers and motorists stopped along the roadside.

Targeted safety campaigns

In 2022 ARDOT launched the “Slow Down, Phone Down” initiative after a spike in work‑zone crashes. Parker reported that crashes in work zones have dropped from roughly 2,100 in 2021 to about 1,500 now, though he cautioned, “Still 1,500 is a lot of crashes.”

The agency also offers “Street Smart,” a free curriculum for Arkansas teachers. The program teaches younger students safe passenger habits and pedestrian and bicycle safety, while high‑school lessons cover scenarios such as being pulled over or riding with an impaired passenger.

More recently, ARDOT introduced a “Just Move Over” campaign reminding drivers to give space to emergency responders and other stopped vehicles. “We can control things like distracted driving with the cell phone,” Parker said, “We can control the speeding.”

Motorcyclist safety concerns

Frank Caridi, who runs Little Rock Moto Camp, warned that motorcyclists face added risks because they are less visible and lack the protection of cars. He teaches riders to scan surroundings, leave space and anticipate vehicles pulling out.

“Every time you see a motorcycle, you’re looking at somebody’s wife, husband, son, daughter,” Caridi said. “You’re looking at someone’s loved one. So please give us the space.”

Looking ahead

Parker concluded that while the decline since 2020 is encouraging, the numbers remain too high. “Those numbers have to come down,” he said, underscoring ARDOT’s commitment to data‑driven safety measures and community input.

Original reporting: KATV Little Rock (local) — read the source article.