Roads Safer Except on a Bike

Rush hour might steal your soul, but the chances that it is going to kill you dead have fallen dramatically. Death rates on American roads have fallen to the lowest level since they started keeping good track back in the early 1970s, according to a Wall Street Journal story. Researchers don't know why exactly. Could be that fewer folks are driving, since gas is pricey and traffic jams are no fun. But the rate of deaths per miles driven has also fallen. So the drop is more likely caused by the prevalence of side airbags and other safety equipment like stability control. However, one group of travelers hasn't had the same luck.
The WSJ story says more bikers than ever are killed on the roads. In Texas, for example, deadly accidents involving bikers have risen 46% since 2005. It doesn't take a genius to figure out why -- more bikers on the road, faster bikes, and fools not wearing helmets.