Have you ever wondered whether the road improvement projects you see around the state actually make a difference? When it comes to projects designed to improve safety, they really do. Consider the following statistics based on Federal Highway Administration data:

• Every $100 million spent on highway safety improvements will result in 145 fewer fatalities over a 10-year period.

• Features such as the number of lanes, the width of lanes and shoulders, the angle of curves, pavement conditions and many other correctable roadway features are factors in 30 percent of traffic fatalities nationwide.

• Widening a lane by one foot can reduce accidents by 12 percent. By widening a lane by two foot, accidents can be reduced 23 percent.

• Widening a shoulder has been found to reduce fatal accidents by 20 percent.

• Michigan has averaged nearly 1,370 fatalities annually due to traffic accidents since 1995.