Highway deaths drop to lowest level since 1950s

[Obama 2012 1,714]

http://www.wfaa.com/news/national/Highway-...s-87333777.html

by Associated Press

Posted on March 11, 2010 at 9:07 AM

******

WASHINGTON — U.S. highway deaths have fallen to their lowest levels since the 1950s.

The Transportation Department said Thursday that its projections show traffic deaths declined nearly 9 percent in 2009 to fewer than 34,000. That's the lowest level since 1954.

Safety experts attribute the reductions to increased seat belt use, less drunken driving and more enforcement of traffic laws. Others point to the sluggish economy, which leads fewer people to drive.

Highway deaths have dropped steadily since 2005.

Edited March 11, 2010 by Paul and Vanessa

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Now that's good news.

[Ali G. 37]

They must be selling less pickups. A lot of the deaths here are due to dilapidated roads and inadequate back-road standards. A lot of back-roads are extremely dangerous, with no room for error.

** For those against anything foreign click away now **

Prior to moving here I was used to roads that were constantly paved, well marked, have streetlights, heavily use reflectors in every lane, have safety barriers and had minimal potholes. That is what you get when you pay an extra dollar or so per gallon to pay for these necessary life saving features.

These LED reflectors are also becoming popular.

Here is an example of a well maintained safe road there:

New highway

Edited March 11, 2010 by Booyah

[Obama 2012 1,714]

They must be selling less pickups. A lot of the deaths here are due to dilapidated roads and inadequate back-road standards. A lot of back-roads are extremely dangerous, with no room for error.

** For those against anything foreign click away now **

Prior to moving here I was used to roads that were constantly paved, well marked, have streetlights, heavily use reflectors in every lane, have safety barriers and had minimal potholes. That is what you get when you pay an extra dollar or so per gallon to pay for these necessary life saving features.

These LED reflectors are also becoming popular.

Here is an example of a well maintained safe road there:

New highway

Our highways are fine...... If you can't navigate/use them, you're an idiot.

Edited March 11, 2010 by Paul and Vanessa

[Obama 2012 1,714]

[Ali G. 37]

Our highways are fine...... If you can't navigate/use them, you're an idiot.

Dude, I was not born yesterday. I think anyone who has lived in another first world country will strongly disagree.

Let's look at some Fort worth roads..

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source...2,346.12,,0,0.6

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source...12,49.4,,0,6.26

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source...338.66,,0,-0.11

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source...,195.05,,0,9.72

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source...,213.84,,0,1.86

Do you really want me to embarrass you and post links of international roads?

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Dude, I was not born yesterday. I think anyone who has lived in another first world country will strongly disagree.

Let's look at some Fort worth roads..

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source...2,346.12,,0,0.6

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source...12,49.4,,0,6.26

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source...338.66,,0,-0.11

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source...,195.05,,0,9.72

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source...,213.84,,0,1.86

Do you really want me to embarrass you and post links of international roads?

Neighborhood streets (which you are posting and a frontage road) are just fine, despite what you might wnat to depict them as..... and i gave you highway examples...

[Ali G. 37]

Much like truck drivers, you seem to miss the concept of quality versus quantity.

Neighborhood streets (which you are posting and a frontage road) are just fine, despite what you might wnat to depict them as..... and i gave you highway examples...

Have you driven on any international roads? If so, where?

No comparison whatsoever.

Edited March 11, 2010 by Booyah

[Ali G. 37]

Why are the roads white? Don't tell me they use concrete in Texas?

[Nina~ 431]

Why are the roads white? Don't tell me they use concrete in Texas?

Yes they do!

ETA: Concrete is cheaper than asphalt here, so they have primarily been paving highways with concrete.. However, they are starting to replace concrete roads with asphalt roads (at least in Houston).

Edited March 11, 2010 by Nina Ballerina

[Ali G. 37]

Yes they do!

That explains the number of roads. Not only is concrete cheaper but it also last longer. Side-effect is a bumpier ride, less traction, and much less grip when it rains. Not to mention extremely loud to travel on..

Edited March 11, 2010 by Booyah

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Why are the roads white? Don't tell me they use concrete in Texas?

Almost all roads are paved with Asphalt in the US....

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Yes they do!

ETA: Concrete is cheaper than asphalt here, so they have primarily been paving highways with concrete.. However, they are starting to replace concrete roads with asphalt roads (at least in Houston).

Houston does get many complaints about this....

[Ali G. 37]

Almost all roads are paved with Asphalt in the US....

Doesn't look like it from the photos. If they are, that means they rarely pave them or use a cheaper mixture of Asphalt. Granted, Texas roads are not as bad as other states.

Dude, you are not going to win this argument. I have traveled around the world and the first thing that stood out to me is the quality of roads here. Heck I have had to replace three windshields here in four years yet not replaced one in 28 years in AUS. Of course, our roadways are cleaned weekly there so that helps. You get what you pay for. Higher quality roads that ensure a more comfortable and most of all safe ride are quite important to most other first world countries, hence their gasoline tax. We'd rather that we and our family make it home alive, than save $10 on a tank of gas.

Edited March 11, 2010 by Booyah

[JimandChristy 1,689]

I watched a program called "The Crumbling of America" the other week on the History Channel and lets just say it was a real eye opener about how US infrastructure is literally collapsing and outdated. From roads, railways, bridges, dams, sewers, pipes and levees the US is long overdue for a upgrade since the 50's. Problem is it would take $2.2trillion over the next five years to fix it! Those of you who think there is nothing wrong with the infrastructure in the US, think again.

zBSPcIGGcIc

Edited March 11, 2010 by JimandChristy