AMES, Iowa (AP) _ State officials say 364 people died on Iowa roadways in 2011, the lowest death toll in the state since 1944.
    
The department of transportation, which issued a report Thursday, credits advances in vehicle safety, improvements in highway design and laws dealing with texting and cell phones, a graduated driver's license system and seat belts.
    
Officials say seat belts continue to be a major factor in saving lives but some people aren't ``getting the message.''
    
Figures show 116 people, or 41 percent of all traffic deaths, were not buckled up. Officials say that number could be higher because authorities couldn't determine whether 50 people who died were wearing seat belts.
    
Yearly highway deaths in Iowa were also below 400 in 2009 and 2010.