Florida Traffic Deaths Drop in 2008 TAMPA (WUSF) - Fewer people died on Florida's highways in 2008 due in part to the nationwide economic slump.

For the first time in eight years, there were fewer than 3,000 traffic fatalities in Florida.

Capt. Mark Welch with the Florida Highway Patrol credits the decrease on increased automobile safety, education campaigns and the bad economy.

"The economic crisis that we're in certainly impacts the number of motorists that are on the road, you know, pleasure driving, for people that don't have a job to drive to and people that can't afford to come to Florida for vacation," Welch says. "It's going to have a significant impact."

There were 2,983 deaths on Florida's roads last year a 7.4 percent decrease from 2007. Alcohol-related traffic deaths also dropped 6 percent for 2008.

To review the "Traffic Crash Statistics Report 2008," go to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles web site: www.flhsmv.gov.
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