In the course of the 2008 events people in the U.S. stopped driving as much as they used to. Usual summer vacation travels which used to begin on Memorial Day have been canceled by many Americans. As a result of less crowded roads, there were fewer accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported the number of deaths on U.S. roads is as low as it has not been for decades.

According to federal government 37,131 people died in 2008 which is “the lowest number of deaths on U.S. roads since 1961, when 36,285 lives were lost”.

The number is lower percentage wise as well. If in 2007 1.36 fatalities happened per 100 million vehicles, last year it was only 1.28. The number keeps dropping, U.S. Department of Transportation says that in January 2009 for 7 billion miles traveled there was a 3.1% drop of accidents with deaths comparing to January 2008.

Both drivers and passengers use seatbelts more often. However, it is not even in different states. Michigan residents are the most responsible ones, but Massachusetts passengers have to do better – less than 70% of them use this means of safety. People in Wyoming and New Hampshire are also recommended to pay more attention to seat belts.