The $4-plus-a-gallon gas prices apparently have driven down the number of traffic deaths in Wyoming and most of the country.

As of Tuesday, there were 69 fatalities on state and federal highways compared to 80 during the same time in 2007, for a decline of 13.7 percent, Wyoming Highway Patrol spokesman Sgt. Steve Townsend said.

The definitive causes of falling road fatalities remain unknown, but they coincide with Americans sharply reducing their driving because of record-high gas prices.

The trend also mirrors the lower fatality rates during the Arab oil embargo of 1973-1974.

That's when fewer people on the road driving fewer miles at probably lower speeds to enhance fuel economy meant fewer fatalities.

Chuck Hurley, a former official with the National Safety Council and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, said half of the decline in road deaths during the 1970s was attributed to high gas prices. Further declines occurred after states raised the drinking age and lowered freeway speed limits to 55 mph.

Researchers with the National Safety Council reported a 9 percent drop in motor vehicle deaths overall through May compared with the first five months of 2007.

Preliminary figures obtained by The Associated Press show that some states, including Wyoming, reported declines of 20 percent or more. Thirty-one states have seen declines of at least 10 percent, and eight states have reported an increase, according to the council.

Wyoming's fatality rate has increased since May, according to figures from Townsend. He attributed that rise to the increase in motorcycle fatalities during the summer.

Besides higher fuel prices, Townsend believes the safety efforts of the Wyoming Department of Transportation have contributed to the traffic death decline as well.

"I would kind of like to think it's about trying to educate people about seat belts, speed and DUI."