The number of traffic fatalities in the United States has dropped to the lowest level since 1949

The number of traffic fatalities in the United States has dropped to the lowest level since 1949. The number of traffic fatalities in the United States has continued to decline significantly, reaching the lowest level since 1949. …

The number of traffic fatalities in the United States fell to the lowest level since 1949. The number of traffic fatalities in the United States continued to decline sharply, reaching the lowest level since 1949. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 32,310 people died in traffic crashes in 2011, a 1.7 percent decrease from the same period last year. This is the seventh consecutive year the death rate has declined. NHTSA said traffic fatalities have dropped by more than 25% since 2005, and the average number of fatalities per mile traveled has fallen to its lowest level since records began in 1921. While federal officials declined to point to specific factors, experts believe there are several reasons behind the sharp decline. They include cracking down on drunk driving, increasing seat belt use, improving car design and requiring strict compliance with federal safety rules. In just the past few years, NHTSA has required all new cars to install electronic stability control systems and have stronger roof designs. Some experts also point out that the recession has caused Americans to significantly reduce the number of miles they drive each year. NHTSA's preliminary research shows that Americans drove 35.7 billion fewer miles in 2011 than the previous year, a 1.2 percent decrease. As the economy recovers, some observers warn the death toll may rise as more miles are driven. However, even after adjusting for the same mileage, the death rate still dropped, with 1.09 fatalities per 100 million miles traveled in 2011, compared with 1.11 in 2010. At its peak, this number was close to 7.0. Traffic accidents killed 43,510 Americans, including pedestrians, in 2005. The rate of decline varied by region, with New England experiencing the largest decline, which was 7.2% less than last year. In America's heartland, which includes Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, deaths fell 5.3%. But in three regions, including Arizona, Hawaii, and California, the number of deaths increased by 3.3% compared with last year. Although the overall death toll has fallen, Transportation Secretary Lahoud has repeatedly said that traffic fatalities are still too high and he has called for further efforts to bring them down even more. The agency is preparing new rules to address what LaHood calls an "epidemic" of distracted driving deaths.