Researchers from the USA’s University of Alabama at Birmingham have discovered a silver lining to rocketing vehicle fuel prices - fewer deaths from car crashes.

An analysis of yearly vehicle deaths compared to petrol prices found death rates drop significantly as people are forced to slow down and drive less because of the high cost of fuel.

The study showed that if petrol prices remain in America at US$4 a gallon or higher for a year or more, traffic deaths could drop by more than 1,000 every month across the country.

Co-author Michael Morrisey said: "It is remarkable to think that a percent change in gas prices can equal lives saved…for every 10% rise in gas prices, fatalities are reduced by 2.3%."