US traffic deaths lowest since 1961

Recession, gas prices cited

Steve Hawley, Apr 07, 09.

Traffic deaths in the United States dropped over 9 percent in 2008, according to the Associated Press, as record gas prices and a steep recession prompted Americans to drive less. The preliminary figures indicate that 37,313 Americans died in traffic accidents last year, down from 41,059 in 2007, and the lowest number since 1961, when 36,285 people died on the roads.

The traffic fatality rate dropped to an all-time low, with 1.28 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. In 2007, that rate was 1.36, six percent higher.

The article notes:

In the past, tough economic times have brought similar declines in roadway deaths. Fatalities fell more than 16 percent from 1973 to 1974 as the nation dealt with the oil crisis and inflation. Highway deaths dropped nearly 11 percent from 1981 to 1982 as President Ronald Reagan battled a recession.

The government said vehicle miles traveled in 2008 fell by about 3.6 percent, to 2.92 trillion miles, indicating many people adjusted their driving habits as gas prices fluctuated and the economy tumbled.

It quotes Adrian Lund, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, who said, “The silver lining in a bad economy is that people drive less, and so the number of deaths go down. Not only do they drive less but the kinds of driving they do tend to be less risky — there’s less discretionary driving.”

Other factors likely contributing to the drop included record seat belt use and better drunk driving enforcement.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration figures, traffic fatalities only dropped by one percent in Texas and the surrounding states, while deaths fell by at least 7 percent in all other regions of the country and 14 percent in New England.