TRAFFIC FATALITIES IN FIRST HALF OF '09 DOWN FROM LAST YEAR
According to a recent report released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 16,262 people died in motor vehicle accident in the first half of 2009. This represents a 7% decline from 2008. Fatalities declined by about 10% in the first quarter of 2009 and 4% in the second quarter. The second quarter of 2009 will be the 13th consecutive quarter of declines in fatalities as compared to the same quarter from the previous year.
The decline in fatalities is due to several factors, most notably the significant decline in "vehicle miles traveled" (VMT), which dropped by nearly 6.1 billion miles in the first half of 2009. An increased use of seat belts is also credited for the steady decline in traffic fatalities.
