Cars are significantly more fuel efficient than they were 30 years ago, and theyre less dangerous, involved in fewer roadway fatalities.
Weve got a pair of facts that should help keep Americas love affair with the automobile purring well into the future. Cars are significantly more fuel efficient than they were 30 years ago, and theyre far less dangerous.
In 1980, average fuel efficiency of new cars was 24.3 miles per gallon. In 2011, efficiency was up to 33.8 mpg exceeding government standards. By 2025, standards will require cars to run at 54.5 mpg.
As for safety, fatality figures are way down. 51,091 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes back in 1980. That number was down to 32,885 in 2010 despite the fact that drivers logged many more miles on the road that year.
Check out our video for more details. See What Do Others Say for more on automobile standards, then add to the discussion thread below. Do you feel safe on the highway?