WASHINGTON – Fewer people died on the nation's highways during the first three months of 2009 as traffic fatalities continued to fall to levels not seen in nearly 50 years.

Experts have attributed the declines to the economic recession, record-high seat belt use partly because of stricter state enforcement and fewer people driving.

Motorists killed in the first three months of this year, a 9 percent decline from a year ago, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Thursday. The report comes out ahead of the July 4 holiday period, a busy period on the nation's roadways.

Estimated number of traffic deaths in 2008, the fewest since 1961. If the 2009 fatality trends continue, fewer than 31,000 people will die this year.

Traffic fatalities in Texas in 2008, 84 fewer than the previous year. The state toll has decreased every year since 2004.

January-March's fatality rate, the number of deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. The rate fell to a record low of 1.27 in 2008.

Vehicle miles traveled in 2008, a decline of about 3.6 percent from the previous year, as many people drove less because of fluctuating gas prices and a weaker economy.

From staff and wire reports

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