Automobile Fatalities Down Four Years in a Row

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released preliminary information showing that the number of fatalities on American roads is once again declining. The data collected and analyzed by the NHTSA indicated a decline in highway deaths of 8.9% from 2008 to 2009, the lowest fatality rate–1.16 deaths for every 100 million vehicle miles traveled–on record, the lowest overall number of deaths–33,963 — since 1954, and 15 straight quarters of decline in the number of overall roadway deaths.

News of the decrease in traffic fatalities is an encouraging sign that the safety measures employed by the Department of Transportation, the automakers, and American drivers themselves are having a positive effect. Each new car sold in America is designed with safer materials, arranged in a safer way, to produce safer outcomes in case of accidents.

The overall number of deaths (33,963) is an 8.9% decrease from 2008 and is the lowest on record since 1954. The data is in line with a continuation of declining traffic fatalities since they hit a near-term high in 2005, in which there were 43,510 deaths. The data also indicates that the national vehicle miles traveled (VMT) increased by about 6.6 billion miles, a 0.2% increase from the 2008 VMT. Though American drivers traveled more, the fatality rate per 100 million VMT decreased to 1.16 in 2009, the lowest on record.

Still, it is important to remover that the current death rate on American roads, which is in the 30 thousands, is too many. Lawmakers, automakers, and those in the safety technology industry are working hard to make the numbers even lower. But it can’t be done without consumers help. Buckle up, drive safe, keep distraction away, and do your best to get home safely every night.