text:  Traffic fatalities are down. Fatalities declined about 3% in the first quarter. According to preliminary data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it's the eighth straight quarterly decline in traffic fatalities. The NHTSA estimates that fatalities decreased in 30 states and Puerto Rico in the first quarter, while increases projected in 19 states and the District of Columbia compared with the same period a year ago. One state remained unchanged. John Scott reporting.