The US Department of Transportation releases it's 2010 crash statistics this week,  showing the lowest level of traffic fatalities since 1949.  The number of traffic fatalities dropped 3% from 33,808 in 2009 to 32,788 last year despite the fact that Americans drove over 20 billion miles more.  The number works out to 1.09 traffic accident deaths for every 100 million miles traveled.  This number is significantly lower than when the number of traffic deaths peaked at 54,589 in 1972 - which had 4.33 deaths for the same number of miles traveled.

Safety experts attribute the drop to public awareness campaigns, safer road design, and improved vehicle safety.  Improvements like rumble strips median barriers and pavement markings have helped create safer roads, while airbags and stability control have created safer automobiles.  Roy Luck, director of research at Northwestern University's Center for Public Safety adds that "The philosophy of safe driving is beginning to become more and more ingrained in society"

As lawyers in the Personal Injury field, we see the devastating effects of serious auto accidents almost every single day.  While statistics like this are very encouraging, there is still a long road ahead.  With distracted driving on the rise, we need to continue to work towards keeping our roadways safe for our drivers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently released a study on airbag deployment showing the increased risk of fatality in accidents that do not include airbags.  According to the study, out of the 2.5 million vehicles totaled and issued salvage titles by the insurance company, 40% are rebuilt and put back on the road for resale.  Many of these "salvage" titled cars are put back on the road without air bags, or with an improper airbag that may not function correctly.

 Since only a few states have laws regulating airbag system replacement, a buyer of a used vehicle may never know if they can expect their airbag to function properly in an accident.  Below are a few tips to help used car buyers ensure they get an airbag they can count on.

 - When you turn on the ignition, look for the airbag light to momentarily light.  If the light stays on or flashes, there may be a problem with the airbag.  If the light never comes on at all, this indicates that the bulb has been removed, and that there is most likely no airbag present.

- Have a mechanic you trust take a look at the used vehicle prior to purchase to make sure the airbag is working.

- Ask for a Carfax report on the vehicle, which will indicate any airbag deployments in the vehicle's history.  You only need a car's VIN number to attain a report.