NHTSA: Traffic Deaths Dip in 2007

A new report out from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that traffic fatalities in the United States declined in 2007. In fact, the numbers reached the lowest level in more than a decade.

Last year saw 41,059 traffic deaths, a decline from 2006 when there were 42,659. The NHTSA added that the fatality rate of 1.37 deaths for every 100 million miles covered last year was the smallest on record.

California witnessed the biggest decline, 266 fewer fatalities than in 2006. The largest percentage declines took place in South Dakota and Vermont.

North Carolina's death toll grew the most in the nation, up 121 from 2006. The District of Columbia and Alaska saw the largest percentage increases.

Motorcycle deaths went up for the 10th straight year. There were 5,154 motorcycle deaths in 2007, compared with 4,837 the previous year.