Lifestyle | gas prices Road Deaths Drop as Gas Price Soars Study estimates $4 gas will prevent 1,000 deaths a month By Rob Quinn Posted Jul 12, 2008 7:30 AM CDT Copied Erick Kelly, a petroleum driver for ConocoPhillips, puts away hoses after filling tanks at a gas station Monday, June 30, 2008, in north Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) The record-breaking gas prices putting the squeeze on American drivers may be a lifesaver for some, reports the AP. Experts crunched 20 years of data and discovered that auto deaths fell 2.3% for every 10% hike in gas prices. When gas went up, people drove slower and bought safer vehicles. Risk-taking young drivers were priced off the roads. They estimate $4 gas will prevent 1,000 deaths a month. Read These Next University does 180 on professor fired for Charlie Kirk post. News outlets parse the fatal shooting in Minneapolis. Christian author Philip Yancey admits to a long-term affair. Snow is sinking boats in Alaska. Report an error