Better vehicle design credited with decline in highway deaths
Analysis shows marked decline in likelihood of crashing, increased likelihood of escaping a crash without injuries
The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that better-designed, safer vehicles have contributed to an overall decline in crashes, deaths and injuries on U.S. roadways. In a new report, the agency's analysis of police-reported crash data estimates that design improvements between Model Year 2000 and Model Year 2008 cars helped save 2,000 lives and prevented one million occupant injuries in the 2008 calendar year alone.
"Between better safety practices developed at the Department of Transportation and improved designs by automakers, we are making real progress protecting drivers and passengers nationwide," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "We celebrate the historic decline in deaths and injuries on our roads as we remain laser-focused on continuing to improve safety."