A presentation titled “Effects of GDP changes on road traffic fatalities” was given by NTUA Associate Professor George Yannis at the 15th Meeting of the International Road Traffic and Accident Database (IRTAD) of theInternational Transport Forum (ITF/OECD), which took place on 18-19 October 2012, in Amsterdam.  A statistically significant relationship between annual GDP increase and fatality rate increase was demonstrated, as well as a statistically significant relationship between annual GDP decrease and fatality rate decrease.  Behind these correlations, the causal explanations of the impact of economic recession to the recent impressive reductions in fatalities might include: a. less vehicle-kilometers (increased fuel prices, decrease of recreation mobility, less heavy goods vehicle traffic), b. less speeding (increased fuel prices, more economical and environment friendly driving, low drivers’ morale) and c. less risky driving (fewer young, inexperienced or elderly drivers who may afford vehicle ownership and travel).