According to the Department of Transportation, 33,808 fatalities occurred on U.S. highways last year, which was said to be the lowest total since 1950. The DOT noted that this decline occurred even as the number of vehicle miles traveled grew by a 0.2 percent margin in 2009.
The latest data found that as of 2009, the nation’s vehicle fatality rate stood at 1.13 per 100 million miles traveled. In 2008, that rate was 1.26 deaths per 100 million miles traveled.
“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,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
The report also noted that all categories of vehicles saw their fatality rates fall in 2009, including motorcycles, which had previously seen a rising number of fatalities over the past 11 years. Another important statistic to take note of is that motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for those under 34.
With these things in mind, even young and healthier people may find it advisable to protect their families financially by investing in a life insurance policy.