Nostalgia for the good, old days often tricks the mind. Yet, many things are better today than 50 or 60 years ago. Car and road safety is one great example of huge improvement.
Highway deaths fell to 32,885 in 2010, despite 46 billion more miles driven than in 2009, a 1.6% increase in miles driven. In 2010, there was 1.10 death per 100 miles traveled, down from 1.15 in 2009. All data come from the United States Department of Transportation.
Incredibly, highway fatalities are back to 1949 levels, when America had about 50% of today's population, and when miles driven were a fraction of what they are today.
Today's vehicles are designed to be survivable in most crashes, handle much better to avoid accidents, and generally travel on better designed roads. And just possibly drivers may even be a bit better.
Safe holiday travels to all readers.
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