Lifestyle / gas prices Road Deaths Drop as Gas Price Soars Study estimates $4 gas will prevent 1,000 deaths a month By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff 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. (More gas prices stories.) Report an error