Traffic fatalities down in the US

The number of overall traffic fatalities reported in 2009 reached the lowest level since 1954, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The fatality rate declined to the lowest on record, to 1.16 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in 2009, down from 1.25 fatalities per 100 million VMT in 2008, based on preliminary data.
Projected fatality data for the year places the highway death count at 33,963, a drop of 8.9% from the 37,261 deaths reported in 2008.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration attributes the decline to a combination of factors that include, high visibility campaigns and safer roads, safer vehicles and motorists driving less.