A new report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that the number of car crash-related deaths in 2011 has reached the lowest level in more than 60 years. Car crashes were the leading cause of accidental fatalities in 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and while they are still a major concern when it comes to public safety, the recent NHTSA findings indicate conditions are improving.

The report found that there were 32,367 traffic fatalities last year, with is a 1.9 percent decline from 2010 and a 2.5 percent drop since 2005. National programs to raise awareness of vehicle safety and good behaviors behind the wheel have contributed to the improvements over the years. For instance, the rate of deaths caused by drunk driving accidents declined 2.5 percent from 10,136 in 2010 to 9,878 in 2011.

"In the past several decades, we've seen remarkable improvements in both ways motorists behave on our roadways and in the safety of the vehicle they drive, and we're confident that NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings Program and nationwide collaborations like 'Click It or Ticket' and 'Drive Sober or get Pulled Over' have played a key role in making our roads safer," said NHTSA administrator David Strickland. "Even as we celebrate the progress we've made in recent years, we must remain focused on addressing the safety issues that are continuing to claim more than 30,000 lives each year."

In addition to staying safe behind the wheel, driving a reliable vehicle can help reduce the risk of crashes. Drivers in the New York/New Jersey area who are thinking about buying vehicles can head over to NJ State Auto Auction. The dealer carries a wide selection of used cars, which are all CARFAX certified, so car shoppers know they'll be getting behind the wheel of reliable rides.