US road safety improvement

The US Department of Transportation reports that road deaths fell by 9.7% to 33,808 in 2009, compared with 37,423 in 2008.
March 1, 2012 Read time: 1 min
The 2364 US Department of Transportation reports that road deaths fell by 9.7% to 33,808 in 2009, compared with 37,423 in 2008. Traffic deaths in the US are now at the lowest level since 1950. Analysts say the drop reflects improved safety features in cars, better enforcement of drink driving laws and more people wearing seat belts.

The rate of deaths per 160 million km travelled dropped to a record low of 1.13 deaths in 2009. Alcohol-impaired driving deaths were also down 7.4% to 10,839, while motorcycle fatalities dropped 16% to 4,462. The estimated average distance travelled by motorists rose 0.2%.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Congestion and safety concerns over Serbia’s roads
    February 23, 2012
    With traffic flows on the increase, Serbia needs to improve its road network and safety record, reports Gordon Feller. Serbia's road network needs to upgrade its road system against the backdrop of increased traffic flows. Serbia is crossed by segments of the important Trans European network (TEN). Corridor X with its branches Xb (Belgrade-Budapest) Xc (Nis-Sofia), and Xd (Nis-Presevo), represent the most important transit routes in the Republic, connecting Austria/Hungary, Slovenia/Croatia, and Bulgaria/Ma
    Read More
  • Road safety’s slow gain in Europe
    June 27, 2018
    Europe is seeing an improvement in road safety, but at a slower rate than hoped for. Official data shows that 25,250 people were killed in road crashes in the EU during 2017, a 2% drop from the figure recorded for 2016. Furthermore, road deaths have dropped just 3% in the last four years in the EU, with casualty reduction targets not being met. There are 32 countries listed in the PIN programme intended to cut road deaths and 22 of these nations did record improvements in road safety. Estonia managed to
    Read More
  • Drink driving dangers in Malaysia and France
    January 14, 2022
    Drink driving dangers are an issue in Malaysia and France.
    Read More
  • Traffic crashes cost US motorists almost $300 billion per year
    April 26, 2012
    The annual societal cost of traffic crashes is $299.5 billion, more than three times the $97.7 billion cost of congestion, according to a report released by the American Automobile Association (AAA). Its "Crashes vs. Congestion – What's the Cost to Society?" report highlights the overwhelming and far-reaching economic impacts traffic safety crashes have on the nation and encourages policymakers at all levels of government to ensure safety is a top priority.
    Read More

Highlighted Content