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>>...The number of U.S. traffic deaths rose nearly 1 percent in 2003 and reached a 13-year high at 43,220...<<

We've become desensitized to traffic deaths. Imagine if 43,000 Americans were killed by terrorists last year.

Imagine our outrage if 43,000 soldiers were killed in Iraq last year.

How many tens of thousands more people were permanently disabled and had thier lives ruined forever?

Why can't we spend 87 billion on making cars and roads safer??

Why can't we spend 87 billion on making cars and roads safer??

Or what about this from 1999?

Medical errors kill tens of thousands annually, panel says
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- More people die each year in the United States from medical errors than from highway accidents, breast cancer or AIDS, a federal advisory panel reported Monday.
The report from the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine cited studies showing between 44,000 and 98,000 people die each year because of mistakes by medical professionals.

We have become desensitized to certain types of deaths, other types create a call to arms. (Mostly in the press)

Think of the 43,000 deaths in relative terms, and realize that you'll never be able to substantially reduce that number as long as American motorists log billions of vehicle-miles traveled every year.

For comparison purposes, U.S. highway fatality rates are dropping considerably every year -- the number keeps rising because the population and number of registered vehicles is always rising, too.

We've become desensitized to traffic deaths. Imagine if 43,000 Americans were killed by terrorists last year.

I know I haven't. I think it is a sad state of affairs that 43,000 people died in traffic accidents last year. That means I drive extra careful and try not to take unnecessary risks in traffic. However it doesn't mean I expect the national government to take control of anymore than they already are to make me feel safe

"A large part of the problem is keeping all four wheels on the roadway," Runge told reporters about the rollover propensity of SUVs. Some manufacturers have addressed the problem but Runge wants more safety changes. For instance, his agency is proposing a standard to improve the strength of vehicle roofs to reduce rollover deaths.

What kind of law are you going to pass about keeping 'all four wheels on the roadway'? No four wheeling? No off road driving? Vehicles on pavement alone? Second, his agency proposing this 'standard' is going to do exactly what was done to vehicles nationwide back in the early 1990s with airbags and third brake lights. Push up the cost for safety. Are you going to next suggest we should provide subsidies for those that want to purchase these vehicles as the price goes up? How about we just get rid of them altogether? Then everyone should feel safe....