New York State saw the lowest number of crash-related deaths in 2007 since it began monitoring highway safety in the 1920s.

The state Department of Motor Vehicles reports that traffic deaths dropped from 1,433 in 2006 to 1,317 in 2007, a decline of eight percent. Motorcycle deaths also fell by nearly 11 percent, as did large truck fatalities (nearly 20 percent) and pedestrian deaths (14 percent).

Governor David A. Paterson attributed the fewer crash-related fatalities to programs funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. For example, the Buckle Up New York/Click It or Ticket campaign reports that seat-belt use reached a record-high of 89 percent in 2008.

The Special Traffic Options Program for Driving While Intoxicated (STOP-DWI) reports that the number of alcohol-related fatal and injury crashes dropped from nearly 9,000 in 1992 to less than 5,000 in 2006—a decline of 39 percent, according to the state’s 2007 Highway Safety Report.

“In order to continue on a path of historic safety for New York’s drivers and passengers, a strong commitment toward making the state’s roadways the safest in the nation is essential,” Paterson said. “That is why New York State will continue to maintain strong partnerships with the traffic safety community for the successful implementation of driver safety programs, child passenger programs and traffic enforcement details.”

This followed a national trend, in which highway deaths fell to their lowest level in more than a decade, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Crash fatalities fell to 41,059 in 2007 from 42,708 in 2006.

Also, people are driving less—data shows a 2.8 percent drop in vehicle-miles-traveled during the first half of 2008. While decreases in driving holds potential for fewer crashes and deaths, officials explained that some of these gains could be offset by continued increases in motorcycle and scooter use. (Motorcycle deaths, for the 10th straight year, increased nationwide from 4,837 in 2006 to 5,514 in 2007.)