Highway Deaths At Lowest Level Since 1950s

(CBS/ AP)  Updated at 7:00 p.m. ET

U.S. highway deaths have fallen to their lowest levels since the 1950s, as more motorists bought into buckling up and embraced safety innovations. A sour economy that dampened traveling instincts also was a contributor.

The Transportation Department said Thursday that its projections show total traffic deaths declined nearly 9 percent in 2009 - to 33,963. That's the lowest toll since 1954. In 2008, an estimated 37,261 people died on the highway.

It's important to consider that 1954 was two years before the interstate highway system started and a year before seatbelts were even an option in Fords and Chryslers, CBS News correspondent Dean Reynolds reports.

Highway safety officials also reported a record low fatality rate, the number of deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. It fell to 1.15 in 2009, compared with a record low - at the time - of 1.25 in 2008.

Highway deaths have dropped steadily since 2005, when an estimated 43,510 people were killed.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's report on traffic fatalities

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said he was encouraged by the data but said there were "far too many people dying in traffic accidents. Drivers need to keep their hands on the steering wheel and their focus on the road in order to stay safe."

Safety experts attribute the reductions to increased seat belt use, progress in targeting drunken driving and more enforcement of traffic laws. Others point to the sluggish economy, which typically leads fewer people to drive.

Preliminary data by the Federal Highway Administration showed that vehicle miles traveled in 2009 grew by about 6.6 billion miles, or about a 0.2 percent increase. That followed fewer miles logged by American drivers in 2008 and 2007.

The decline in roadway deaths follow similar patterns formed during the early 1980s and early 1990s, when difficult economic conditions led many drivers to cut back on discretionary travel.

But the reductions also come in the wake of years of safety improvements. Seat belt use climbed to 84 percent in 2009, helped by efforts in states to let police stop a vehicle for a seat belt violation, even if this is the only violation an officer observes.

Side air bags that protect the head and midsection are becoming standard equipment on many new vehicles and electronic stability control, which helps motorists avoid rollover crashes, is more common on new cars and trucks.

Additionally, states have pushed tough laws to reduce drunken driving and the federal government has urged states to adopt more stringent laws against distracted driving and drivers who type out text messages from behind the wheel.

But a relapse is not out of the question, Reynolds reports. Cutting edge computer systems, such as those in Toyotas, may pose unintended risks if they malfunction and leave the driver without control.

And there are new distractions from visually arresting displays to cell phone texting, so dangerous that 20 states now ban texting while driving.

[bradkt1]

Even with the employment picture that way that it is, you still have a lot more cars on the road on an average day in a city than there were 10, 15 or 20 years ago. That's why I don't buy the argument that the economy is the reason for the significantly lower traffic fatality rate.

As one poster noted, cars are safer...most of them. You have everything from mandatory air bags, seat belts, better bumpers, etc. on today's cars. Passenger compartments have better reinforcement. There have been a lot of safety improvements.

I guess that there is a place for government-imposed safety requirements after all.

[AtLasOn1Kl733]

Highway fatalities declines as a result of no moving vehicles on the freeway due to traffic jams.

[WitchBroom]

One needs to look no further than the 2009 unemployment rate to understand that the number of vehicles on the road were substantially lower thereby reducing the number of fatalities.

[tmittelstaed]

Interesting how the increase in speed limits has NOT resulted in an increase in highway deaths. Just goes to show that the 55Mph people have always been full of S.

[billpl-2009]

until that is

when the toyota demo-derby gets into full swing

[hateisafourletterword]

Blame Bush for this too?

[curse914]

That is what happens when you have less traffic due to unemployment.

You got a lot a Bush on the brain. I thought most of your brain capacity was dedicated to your Doctorate in economics.


How is work at the IMF treating you?

[hateisafourletterword]

Masters in Economics and Business. So you can stop your impersonation of the jerk press secretary Gibbs now Curse.

I would love to set up a two tier tax system just for you liberals. 1040(D) and 1040(R). Democrats select their tax rates and Republicans select their tax rates. No deficits by either party.

Now the real kicker is which ever party collects the most taxes in the next 3 years selects our next President. Simple and sweet AND if as you liberals preach to me, really high tax rates lead to more tax collections then I guess the proof will be in the tax collected.

Bon appetit and don't choke on the results CURSE!

[wyodutch]

Maybe more banksters are dieing as a result of their having been bailed-out by the ordinary Joe who can't afford to take his car out of the garage.
.
That would indeed be a silver lining.

[scdrumheller]

"Others point to the sluggish economy, which typically leads fewer people to drive.

Preliminary data by the Federal Highway Administration showed that vehicle miles traveled in 2009 grew by about 6.6 billion miles, or about a 0.2 percent increase."
--------------------------------------------
Poorly written article- suggesting in a bad economy fewer people are driving resulting in fewer deaths- whe actually more are driving with fewer deaths. Then goes on to talk about the '80's.

[I_am_me1953]

Highway Deaths At Lowest Level Since 1950s
Experts Say Sour Economy and Targeting Drunk Driving Big Factors In Fatality Decline

======================


Now enter Toyota to catch-up on the down-turn.

[ianlou]

Highway Deaths At Lowest Level Since 1950s

Due to the diminished number of people driving to work, diving to a vacation spot, driving to a restaurant, driving to the doctors office.

I bet air pollution is down also since we shut down all those dirty factories with smoke stacks.