So we’re safer? 332 deaths

Keith Tanner said:

You can see the drop in miles driven in 1972, 1974 and 2008 right in that graph. But you don't see any carnage when the 55 mph limit was lifted in the late 80's :)

Not all states raised their limits in the late 80s. NJ was still 55 until 1995 when Congress lifted the non-rural 55mph limit. Very little of NJs highways are rural

RevRico said:

RossD said:

In reply to frenchyd :

Consider 'deaths per registered vehicles', it's hugely better now. Or even 'deaths per miles traveled', would really show how big of an improvement we have in all things automotive safety.

I went looking just for a population chart but holy E36 M3, I saw what you were talking about here. 

 

There was a huge drop in 42, obviously due to the war, but what happened in 1974? There was a 17% drop in fatal accidents in that year alone. Gas crisis? 

I remember that year. Gas shortage hit when I was home on leave. No internet then so I contacted my local. AAA they mailed me a list of gas stations that were open 24 hours and had unrestricted gas sales.  All on the northern tier of states 

so I drove on nearly empty freeways. Between North Dakota and Wyoming I read a book propped up on the steering wheel.  At first I’d read a few words and glance up to see if any cars were in sight.  Hours later after seeing only a couple of cars I was reading almost a page before checking to see if any traffic was on the road.   I’ll bet I only saw 2 or three cars an hour at most. Coming or going

SVreX said:

In reply to Toyman01 :

I am always shocked to see how many people ride without helmets. 

So what if it's legal?  It's utterly stupid. 

Utterly stupid is riding without a helmet... and having the helmet strapped to the side.

Knurled. said:

SVreX said:

In reply to Toyman01 :

I am always shocked to see how many people ride without helmets. 

So what if it's legal?  It's utterly stupid. 

Utterly stupid is riding without a helmet... and having the helmet strapped to the side.

 

 

When my buddy rode, he came in one day with a cheap skid lid on. I asked him why he wasn't wearing his good helmet?  "

"Oh, it got ruined. I had it on the helmet lock and it got sucked into the back tire."

My response was, why wasn't it on your damn head?!?!