Traffic deaths surged in 2015 as driving hit new record

WASHINGTON (AP) — Traffic deaths surged last year as drivers racked up more miles behind the wheel than ever before, a result of an improved economy and lower gas prices, according to preliminary government data released Friday.

"The upticks (in deaths) we're seeing correlate to lower fuel prices, but we don't want to give ourselves that excuse so we are digging into different areas where we can have an impact on this," Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx told reporters earlier this week.

NHTSA's revamping last year of its safety rating system for new cars to include automated emergency braking technologies may help, he said.

Motorcycle deaths are another factor that may be driving up fatalities over, said Jonathan Adkins, executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Association, which represents state highway safety offices.