Less killed in traffic accidents in California

OFF THE WIRE
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-09/10/c_13488324.htm Less killed in traffic accidents in California

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- A total of 3,081 people were killed in traffic accidents across the state of California in 2009, a steep decline of 10.3 percent over the previous year, with those killed by drunk drivers and motorcyclists registering the biggest drops, the California Office of Traffic said on Thursday.
California recorded 950 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2009, a 7.6 percent decline from 1,025 in 2008, the statistics released by the federal government show. The 2009 totals mark a 26.8 percent drop from the 2005 high of 1,298.
In the meantime, motorcycle fatalities dropped by 29.6 percent, from 560 in 2008 to 394 in 2009. Total traffic fatalities from all causes fell from 3,434 in 2008 to 3,081 last year, according to the figures.
"The numbers released this morning are especially good news,"said California Highway Patrol Commissioner Joe Farrow. "They are a direct result of efforts by all motorists, law enforcement officers throughout the state, laws designed to keep people safe on our roads, and technological advances by automobile manufacturers to build safer cars."
Among the many reasons behind the fatality declines, the dismal economy matters considerably, according to the authorities. Gasoline sales have stayed flat since 2008 when it had dropped by 4 percent from 2007. Motorcycle registrations have dropped nearly 2 percent.
Other factors also help bring down the trend. Automobiles have been made safer. DUI enforcement have been beefed up. Public awareness through such programs as DUI checkpoints, the Avoid DUI Task Forces program and the Report Drunk Drivers -- Call 911 campaign have all worked.
According to the authorities, in enforcing the California Strategic Highway Safety Plan, numerous enforcement agencies at all levels, as well as advocate groups, businesses, community organizations and individuals have worked in an unprecedented collaboration in an effort to significantly reduce deaths, injuries and economic losses resulting from traffic safety crashes.
More than 300,000 riders have been trained through motorcycle training programs and safety campaigns run by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) since 2005.
=====