Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security officials have announced preliminary figures indicating the state has recorded the fewest number of traffic fatalities in 48 years. In 2011, there were 947 traffic-related deaths on Tennessee roadways, representing the lowest figure since 1963 when 941 people were killed as a result of a crash.Last year’s preliminary number of 947 traffic deaths marks just the third time in 48 years vehicular fatalities have dipped below 1,000. Since 2006, Tennessee traffic fatalities have declined by 26.2 percent, including a drop in fatalities involving large trucks (34.5 percent), pedalcyclists (28.6 percent), motorcyclists (19.1 percent) and pedestrians (4.5 percent).In 2011, state troopers arrested 4,689 impaired drivers, rising 39 percent from the previous year.