Car Accident Deaths Drop to Record Lows in U.S.

One of the few upsides to an ailing economy is the improvement in traffic accident deaths. The number of people who died in a car accident in 2009 was 33,963, which is almost 9 percent lower than the previous year.

Ray LaHood, the Transportation Secretary, was circumspect about the news. “I have mixed feelings,” he said. “I am also disturbed that we are still talking about nearly 34,000 preventable deaths a year.” The fatality rate was 1.16 deaths for every 100 million vehicle miles, which continues a five-year trend of declining accident deaths. In addition to the faltering economy, the decline is attributed to several factors, including campaigns aimed to increase seat belt use and to prevent drunken and distracted driving, and safer roads and vehicles.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administrations fatality statistics can be found by clicking here (.pdf).

Source: New York Times

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