U.S. Traffic Fatalities Hit Lowest Level since 1949

http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/08/9305924-us-traffic-fatalities-hit-lowest-level-since-1949

By Rob Lovitt, msnbc.com contributor

Annual traffic deaths in the U.S. have fallen to their lowest level in six decades, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Released on Thursday, the figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that highway deaths fell to 32,885 in 2010. That's the lowest figure since 1949 and represents a 2.9 percent drop from 2009 — despite the fact that Americans drove almost 46 billion more miles during the year. Americans collectively drove about 3 trillion miles in 2010.

"While we have more work to do to continue to protect American motorists, these numbers show we're making historic progress when it comes to improving safety on our nation's roadways," said DOT Secretary Ray LaHood in a statement.

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Once in a while there is good news. This is one to be happy about.