New England and Great Lakes states saw the biggest decrease in car accident deaths in 2011, with the former down 7.2% and the latter down 3.3%. However, traffic deaths were up 3.3% in California, Arizona and Hawaii in 2011.
For the most part, though, the numbers have been in a steady decline throughout the country during the last five years, with fatality rates decreasing 26% from 2005 to 2011.
AAA says several factors have caused the decline, namely that U.S. motorists drove 1.2% fewer miles last year and gas prices increased 6.7%. Vehicles are also getting safer, with more safety features becoming standard equipment on new cars each year.
U.S. road deaths fall to lowest number since ’49 (The Detroit News)
