Last week at Driving Assessment in Big Sky, MT, a lunch speaker from UMTRI shared some thoughts on why there was a significant reduction in car crashes and deaths on American roads in 2008. Despite the economic downturn, this is some positive news.

Americans are driving less, mainly driving less for leisure. With less disposable income, weekend getaways, Sunday drives, drives for entertainment purposes have all diminished. Can't spend money you don't have.

Lower economical groups are driving less. They typically have cars that get less gas mileage. With higher unemployment, they are not on the road as much. Some are even giving up cars altogether due to the cost of operations.

Besides the facts that cars do a better job at protecting the passengers in a crash, we also are driving cars, that as a general rule, are getting better mileage and are emitting less CO2.

Even in times of strife, a silver lining can be found.