Higher Gas Prices Save Lives // canavarlar

How about some good news about gas prices? We sure could use it . . .
turns out that higher gas prices should save lives, around 2,600 each year.
Here’s why:

Higher Gas Prices = Less Driving = Fewer Accidents and Less Pollution
Basically, if the gas price increases 20%, the number of car fatalities should
decrease by about 2,000 each year. (Note: This number doesn’t take in to
account fewer injuries and disabilities too.) A 20% increase in gas prices
would also reduce the number of people dying from air pollution by about
600.

High Gas Prices and Driving Habits
Researchers from the University of California, Davis, figured out these
numbers by using data from the last time gas prices surged (the 1970s
and 1980s). Based on the changes in driving habits, they did the math and
came up with 2,600 for the amount of lives saved by a 20% increase in gas
prices. The real health benefit could be far greater with fewer car accidents
overall (and fewer injuries), better air quality and people walking instead
of driving. Maybe there is a silver lining to the gas price increase after all.

http://longevity.about.com

Source:
Leigh, J Paul PhD; Geraghty, Estella M. MD, MS, MPH. High Gasoline Prices
and Mortality From Motor Vehicle Crashes and Air Pollution. Journal of
Occupational & Environmental Medicine. 50(3):249-254, March 2008.