NHTSA: Traffic Deaths at 60-Year Low

Although road travel is on the rise in the U.S., the number of traffic deaths and injuries in 2009 were the lowest on record since 1950, according to a National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) report.

Fatality and injury data released this week by the Department of Transportation, show that there were 33,808 U.S. highway deaths in 2009 – down from 37,261 in 2008 – and the lowest on record since 1954.

The number of highway fatalities decreased for all classes of motor vehicles. Motorcycle fatalities also dropped for the first time in over a decade.

“At the Department of Transportation, we are laser-focused on our top priority: safety,” U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood said at a press conference on Thursday. “Today’s announcement shows that America’s roads are the safest they’ve ever been. But they must be safer. And we will not rest until they are.”