There are more of us than ever on the road, but new numbers suggest we're driving better than ever.
Traffic death rates in California hit a record low last year, thanks in part to a dramatic drop in drunken driving fatalities.
Drivers were involved in slightly more than one fatal crash per 100 million miles driven in 2007, CHP data show. By comparison, in 1933 – the first year fatality records were kept statewide – the so-called mileage death rate was a whopping 15.1.
"It's no cause for celebration," state Office of Traffic Safety head Chris Murphy said, given that nearly 4,000 Californians were killed on the road last year.
But state officials and Sacramento area traffic monitors say they are pleased that, despite growing congestion, streets and highways are safer by the year.
Some motorists scratch their heads over the numbers.
Alan Westfall of Sacramento said he's been driving nearly 50 years and doesn't think drivers themselves are any safer.
"I see as many wild and stupid drivers out there as ever," Westfall said. "They're changing lanes without signaling. If there's two feet to spare, they'll cut right in.
"Everybody is in a big hurry."
But there may be an upside to crowded roads.
"Congestion forces people to slow down," said Dee Dee Gunther of the Roseville Police Department. "You may have more bumper-thumpers, but you aren't getting as many injury crashes as when people put the throttle down."
Safety officials offered a litany of other reasons fatalities are down: safer vehicles, better-engineered roads, tougher traffic laws and enforcement targeting key roadway killers – drunken driving and speeding.
Seat belt laws have played a role, as the state's new handheld cell phone ban may over time, officials said.
"This stuff doesn't just happen," said Will Kempton, chief of the state Department of Transportation.
Alcohol-involved fatalities dropped a dramatic 6.7 percent last year, said Murphy, of the Office of Traffic Safety.
Safety officials cited a campaign employing freeway signs urging drivers to "Report Drunk Drivers. Call 911."
Sacramento resident Mike Jarvis said he's seen attitudes about drinking evolve. "I don't know people who drink and drive anymore. It is literally not socially acceptable."
Not all of the latest numbers are good.
Motorcycle deaths jumped roughly 23 percent in the past five years as more people – think aging baby boomers – climb aboard without adequate training, officials said.
"It's a growing public health issue," said Mimi Kahn of the state Department of Motor Vehicles. The DMV is just starting to respond, she said. "We need to emphasize education."
Traffic officials say recent focus on two groups – beginning teenager drivers and older drivers – may be paying dividends.
Recent laws ban first-year teen drivers from having another teenager in the car under most circumstances and also set an 11 p.m. driving curfew.
The DMV and groups such as AARP are gaining experience in helping older drivers identify their limitations and learn to drive more safely.
"You have to retune the fiddle," said Dick Crooks of Carmichael, who has taught seniors driving tips.
Call The Bee's Tony Bizjak, (916) 321-1059.
