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WASHINGTON (AP) --

According to a survey of state highway safety agencies, automobile fatalities declined last year in 40 states, including Illinois.

The survey could be an early sign that traffic deaths could dip to their lowest levels in four decades.

The Governors Highway Safety Association, which represents state highway safety departments, said today that vehicle deaths dropped in 40 states and the District of Columbia out of 44 states they surveyed.

The average decline was 10.7%, the safety group said.

In Illinois, fatalities dropped 16%.

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