Finally, some good news - fewer fatalities

The daily news hasn't been all that rosy lately. Rising gasoline prices, higher unemployment, floods, wildfires and home loan foreclosures have led the parade of doom and gloom across the land. When a ray of sunshine pierces the clouds, it's worth stopping a moment to rejoice. Here's news worth celebrating: Fewer people are dying in traffic crashes on Illinois roads this year. A lot fewer. In the first 6 months of 2007, 598 people were killed. In the first 6 months of 2008, 484 people were killed. Wow. That's 114 fewer deaths, or a 19 percent reduction. Here's another way of looking at it. In the first half of 2007, an average of 23 people died each week. This year, the average is less than 19. What led to this significant improvement in hi