U.S. Traffic Fatalities Drop to 62-Year Low

Traffic fatalities on American roads fell almost 2% to 32,400 last year the lowest total since 1949, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The agency notes that American drove 1.2% fewer miles last year. But it says the fatality rate deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled declined to a record 1.1.

Fatalities in 2011 fell nearly 5% for occupants of light vehicles but rose 20% for those in large trucks. Deaths also increased for bicyclists (+9%) and pedestrians (+3%).

NHTSA reports that fatalities involving drunk drivers shrank almost 3% to 9,900. But those killed in crashes involving driver distraction rose 2% to 3,300. The agency estimates that 387,000 people were injured in distraction-related crashes, down 7% from the total in 2010.

Fatalities fell in 36 states, led by Connecticut, North Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Michigan.