Traffic Deaths in 2010 Drop to Lowest Levels in Recorded History

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced that the number of traffic fatalities in 2010 fell to the lowest level since 1949, despite the significant increase in the number of miles Americans drove. According the NHTSA projections, traffic fatalities will be down 3 percent from 2009, and 25% from 2005. Many factors are believed to have contributed to the decrease, including greater safety features in cars, and changes in road design that promote safe driving. Another factor might be the fewer number of miles driven, believed to be attributed to the recession and higher gas prices.