New Auto Safety Technology and Innovation Help Produce Historic Low for Highway Fatalities - Even as Driving Increases

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Automakers today cited cutting-edge, lifesaving auto technologies as a primary factor in 2009's record low traffic fatality rate announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  The administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) showed a 10 percent drop in road fatalities from 2008 to 2009 and also showed the lowest fatality and injury rates in U.S. history: 1.13 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2009.  

"What we are seeing now is the payoff from years of manufacturer-driven safety improvements, like anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control systems coupled with high visibility enforcement safety efforts by law enforcement," said Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers President and CEO Dave McCurdy.  "For years, automakers have been focused on adding safety technologies that have the biggest impact on the most people, and we're seeing the results in the actual numbers and statistics.   Cynics have said that declining traffic deaths were caused by the recession.  So we are particularly gratified to see these record reductions continue, even as vehicle miles traveled (VMT) rose again in 2009.  There's never been a safer time on our roads.

"What's really impressive is that during the last 50 years – while the fatality rate has been dropping to this historic low – the number of licensed drivers has more than doubled and annual VMT have more than quadrupled," added McCurdy.  "Vehicle safety technologies, combined with consumer education, and tough laws combating the most dangerous driver behaviors have allowed us to reduce deaths and injuries even with more drivers and vehicles on the road."

Exciting new safety technologies like pre-crash occupant positioning, lane departure warning systems, radar use for collision avoidance, and other safety technologies are being added to the fleet today.  

Safe driving practices also play a role in highway safety and automakers are helping to combat the growing problem of distracted driving by designing in-vehicle information systems that allow drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.  Alliance members have also embarked on a national campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving.  Learn more at www.autoalliance.org.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is a trade association of 11 car and light truck manufacturers including BMW Group, Chrysler, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen Group of America.

SOURCE Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers