The numbers are in Car Crash Deaths Down in 2008.

It seems counterintuitive, more cars, more drivers, more miles fewer fatalities. In 2008 32,479 vehicle operators or passengers were killed in car wrecks down from 36,460 in 2007. The 2007 number was the lowest since 1975 other than 1992 when their were one third less cars. The 2008 number was well below 1992 and again even more cars are in operation this year.

At the same time commercial truck deaths are plummeting. http://www.maryland-law.com/library/tractor-trailer-and-bus-crash-facts-2008.cfm

The inevitable question why? We will be examining this in the coming weeks.