USA Today reports that 46,000 people have died because of a 1970s-era push for greater fuel efficiency that has lead to smaller cars, but the article gives short shrift to environmental benefits of fuel efficiency, such as less air pollution and lower greenhouse-gas emissions. The article reports that corporate average fuel economy standards, which have increased fuel efficiency, have cost 7,700 deaths for every mile per gallon gained. Meanwhile, many in New York City are concerned that sport utility vehicles, which until recently were quite rare in the city, are making inroads and will cause significant pollution, congestion, and safety problems.
