Slumping economy helps drive down crash rates

Fewer people are dying in traffic crashes in Florida.

Highway deaths are at their lowest level in 8 years, according to a report released Monday by the state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

The number of people killed in traffic crashes dropped to 2,983 in 2008. That's down 238 from the previous year.

It's the first time since the year 2000 that there have been fewer than 3,000 traffic fatalities in Florida.

Highways deaths were down in virtually all categories: alcohol-related traffic deaths dropped 6%, motorcycle fatalities declined more than 3 percent and pedestrian deaths decreased about 5%.

Captain Mark Welch of the Florida Highway Patrol says it's the third year in a row traffic deaths have declined.

He says the drop is probably due in part to the slumping economy, which prompted people to drive less.

"The economic situation that Americans are in right now could play a significant role in the reduction of crash fatalities, but there's not one single factor that you could put your finger on that causes it. It's a compilation of everything, the legislation, the safer cars, the education enforcement campaigns law enforcement has, the economy, all kinds of things come into play when you're looking at these statistics," said Welch.

The crash report also shows the number of deaths among teenagers and their passengers dropped 22% last year.

However, teen drivers were responsible for the highest rate of traffic crashes at 399 per 10,000 licensed drivers.