WASHINGTON – The number of people who died on the nation’s roads dropped again last year, reaching historically low levels, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters announced recently.

In 2007, the overall number of traffic fatalities fell to 41,059, the lowest number since 1994. Additionally, the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled was 1.37, the lowest fatality rate on record.

About 2.49 million people were injured in highway crashes last year, the lowest number since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began collecting injury data in 1988.

“Thanks to safer vehicles, aggressive law enforcement and our efforts, countless families were spared the devastating news that a loved one was not coming home last year,” Peters said. “You can be sure that we’re not stopping here — the quest is not over until that bottom line number is zero.”

Peters said that the Department of Transportation, of which NHTSA is a part, will continue its efforts to combat impaired driving, increase safety belt use and improve motorcycle safety.

NHTSA collects crash statistics annually from 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to produce annual reports on fatalities and injuries. To view the 2007 report in its entirety, click here.