Cars are significantly more fuel efficient than they were 30
years ago, and they’re 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.