Miles/gallon: Newer vs Older Cars

And as more safety equipment is added to new cars, you know, 12 airbags, backup camera's, press brake to start car etc.. the weight goes up so mileage goes down. With the performance and mileage that exists now, the mileage with about 800 to 1000 lbs less of all the extra safety equipment would be that much better, but us dumb drivers can not think for ourselves, can we?