The National Safety Council reports that the number of people killed on the roads last year is the lowest it has been since records started being kept in the 1920s.

Of course, there were fewer deaths because people drove less during the run-up in fuel prices. But here's one overlooked factor: People were also driving slower to maximize fuel economy -- a key in preventing high-speed highway deaths.

Other factors at work here include the fact that cars are being made much safer with ABS brakes, electronic stability control, adaptive cruise control, airbags and more. In addition, some 83% of people are now wearing their seat-belts. Finally, road design is much safer today. Clark was recently reading about new wires that are being strung along freeway medians to prevent crossover collisions.

This is all great news and it's only going to get better. The consumer champ is heartened when he looks at his college-age daughter and her friends at school. There's a lot of societal pressure against driving drunk and they're all careful to select designated drivers when they go out.