KIRKSVILLE, MO --  

The highway patrol is giving a pat on the back to Missouri drivers.

On average, 1000 people die in Missouri traffic crashes every year. But, a new trend is taking shape.

“Last year ended three consecutive years where the state of Missouri had been below 1000 fatalities. Last year we ended up with 878 fatalities which was the lowest fatality count we'd seen in our state in nearly 60 years,” said Sgt. Brent Bernhardt, Missouri State Highway Patrol.
    
So far this year the fatality rate is down nine percent in Missouri.
    
The highway patrol says there are a lot of reasons that could account for fewer fatalities, like safer cars and highways.
    
Bernhardt also says the economy could be part of the trend because people aren't taking unnecessary trips like they used to.