Filed under: Etc., Green Daily, USA

Photo: splorp - Licensed under CC 2.0

Higher gas prices equal fewer miles driven. Fewer miles driven equals fewer traffic fatalities. At least, that’s the assumption, ’cause it’s really impossible to know for certain what is driving the current death rate decline on American roadways. Still, that above equation certain makes sense, so we’re gonna go ahead and conclude for ourselves that it’s true. Add that to the fact that many drivers who can’t get off the roads have slowed down to counter the high fuel surcharges which accompany a lead foot, and total motor vehicle fatalities are down 9-percent that year.

There have only been two other times in American history where traffic death statistics dropped so drastically in such short order, one of which was when the country endured its last gas price spike during 1973 and 1974. Coincidence? Hardly. One more good effect from higher gas prices is that fewer drunk drivers are on the roads, as more drinkers choose to consume their alcohol at home instead of driving to the bar. See? High gas prices do have their advantages. Thanks for the tip, Alex!

[Source: AP via AT&T]

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Original post by Jeremy Korzeniewski