Highway Deaths Fall To Lowest Level since 1949

[Stuart G]

Source: MSNBC, AP

WASHINGTON — Highway deaths have plummeted to their lowest levels in more than 60 years, helped by more people wearing seat belts, better safety equipment in cars and efforts to curb drunken driving.

The Transportation Department estimated Friday that 32,788 people were killed on U.S. roads in 2010, a decrease of about 3 percent from 2009. It's the fewest number of deaths since 1949 — during the presidency of Harry Truman — when more than 30,000 people were killed.

The Pacific Northwest region, which includes Washington state, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska, saw fatalities fall 12 percent. Western states including Arizona, California and Hawaii also posted large declines.


Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42370348/ns/us_news-life/

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I guess this is good news.
And for some reason, people are driving less..:sarcasm:

Another reason is fewer rides to work, and..well,
some people cannot afford gasoline..
I cannot imagine why?...:sarcasm:.....

Oh..and those pesky government regulations..that require..

seat belts, airbags, and safer cars..that might help..too...

I wonder how many people who survived with minor accidents, that would have been killed before... realize that all the pukes were against all those pesky government regulations..????

[LaurenG]

1. Considering that there were fewer drivers on the road in 1949

I'd say this was an excellent outcome.

[jberryhill]

2. Cash for Clunkers /nt

[Warren Stupidity]

3. The right fought seat-belts and airbags and all other safety regulations tooth and nail.

Damn gummint.

[No Elephants]

4. Thanks, Raph Nader and MADD.

[Bonhomme Richard]

5. Improved trauma care. n/t

[madrchsod]

6. improved roads and advancement in auto technology

[iemitsu]

7. no one can afford gas.

or if you can fill the tank then you can't afford the drink.