Over several decades, reductions in drunk driving and greater use of seat belts in cars helped lower the accidental death rate in the U.S. But now the rate is rising again, and part of the blame is being focused on accidental overdoses on legal and illicit drugs, the Associated Press reported June 7.

A report from the National Safety Council found that the accidental-death rate has risen 12 percent over the level reported in 1992. Experts warned that if trends continue there could soon be more accidental deaths annually than in 1969, when a record 116,385 accidental deaths were reported.

Deaths from unintentional drug overdoses increased from 17,550 in 1992 to 18,457 in 2003, the report found, with the death rate rising from 6.4 to 6.7 per 100,000 people.

Falls among the elderly and fatalities among older motorcycle riders also are contributing to the negative trend, experts said. Overall, however, deaths from motor vehicle crashes rose only slightly in recent years.