It's stretch to say that it is auto technology that reduced the death rates. Cause and effect in a complicated system... like highway deaths... with many variables... are seldom so cut and dried.

It could be:

1) DUI patrol emphasis
2) Click it or Ticket emphasis
3) Greater Safety of cars as legislated
4) Greater Safety of car by free market forces
5) Stricter regulations regarding under 18 drivers

and the list goes on.

Undoubtedly, every one of the proponents of the above claim victory but only an astute student of statistics would be able to discern the truth.

I am no good at math let alone statistics so I'll let the debate go on..

Screw cell phones.