Statistics from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) shows that vehicle travel has declined by 3.5 percent on the first nine months of the year also lowering the number of fatalities. While fatalities decline in both January (-7%) and February (-2.5%) the most significant decrease is estimated for March (-18%). Declines from April through July ranged around 10 percent before dropping significantly in August (-1%) which is probably due to Labor Day holiday travel.
Mary E. Peters the U.S. Secretary of Transportation said that the number of people killed in traffic crashes is expected to reach a new record low in 2008. “Our focus on safety – from our highways, railways, seaways and airways – has led to one of the safest periods in our nation’s transportation history,” said Secretary Peters. “Every American can be more confident than ever they will arrive at their destination safe and sound.”
The new fatality data marks the first time when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is able to predict fatality figures prior to the end of the calendar year. Estimates show that 31,110 people died on the nation's roads from January through October, compared to 34,502 during the same 10-month period in 2007. Adding to that, the fatality rate per 100 million vehicles miles traveled for the first nine months of 2008 is 1.28, compared to 1.37 in 2007.
“For the second year in a row we are seeing historic lows in deaths on our nation’s roads,” Secretary Peters said. “While we are encouraged by these declines, our work is not nearly complete in making our safe transportation network even safer.”
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