US Highway Deaths At Nearly 50 Year Low WASHINGTON, DC (Associated Press) -

U.S. highway deaths in 2008 have fallen to their lowest level since John F. Kennedy was president.

Preliminary figures released by the government today show 37,313 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes last year. That's 9.1 percent lower than the year before, when 41,059 died, and the fewest since 1961, when there were 36,285 deaths.

Experts say the recession and $4-per-gallon gas meant people drove less to save more. They also cited record high seat belt use, tighter enforcement of drunken driving laws and the work of advocacy groups that encourage safer driving habits.

The fatality rate, the number of deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, was 1.28 in 2008. That's the lowest on record.
© Copyright 2012, Associated Press