US Road Fatalities Dropped in 2010

The US National Safety Council (NSC) today announced that the number of motor vehicle fatalities occurred last year is three percent lower than the one recorded in 2009, with the exact figure being 34,700. This also means that 2010 is the fourth consecutive year when fatalities have followed a descending trend.

Based on motor vehicle fatality patterns registered during past recessions, the Council believes that this is partially the result of the economic downturn.

An example that illustrates this is the fact that the fourth-quarter 2010 data showed a slight increase in fatalities. However, the NSC believes that the enhanced safety level of the new vehicle also contributed to this.

The Council warned that we musn’t rest on the aforementioned “laurels” and have to remain vigilant, in order to make sure that the fatalities keep decreasing.

“We must remain vigilant in addressing roadway safety issues where the greatest impact can be made, such as distracted and teen driving. As miles traveled start to rise again from recession lows, we want to ensure the continuance of this downward trend,” said Janet Froetscher, president and CEO of the NSC.

"As encouraging as it is to see fatalities decreasing on our nation's roads, the 2010 rate of decrease is less than a third of the previous year's decrease. We must remain vigilant in addressing roadway safety issues where the greatest impact can be made, such as distracted and teen driving. As miles traveled start to rise again from recession lows, we want to ensure the continuance of this downward trend."