Costs & Prevention Policies
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among those age 5-34 in the U.S.1 More than 2.3 million adult drivers and passengers were treated in emergency departments as the result of being injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2009.2 The economic impact is also notable: in a one-year period, the cost of medical care and productivity losses associated with injuries from motor vehicle crashes exceeded $99 billion.3
While these numbers are disturbing, there are effective measures that can help prevent motor vehicle injuries and deaths.
Costs of Crash Deaths
Over 30,000 people are killed in crashes each year in the United States. In 2005 crash deaths resulted in $41 billion in medical and work loss costs.
A new CDC data analysis looked at the costs of crash deaths by state and found that half of all costs were found in 10 states.
Prevention Policies
CDC supports efforts to strengthen policies related to preventing alcohol-impaired crash-related injuries and deaths; recommends effective, well-enforced seat belt laws; and recommends graduated driver licensing policies to protect teen drivers.
References
- CDC. WISQARS (Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System). Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2010. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars. Accessed October 12, 2010.
- CDC. Vital Signs: Nonfatal, motor vehicle-occupant injuries (2009) and seat belt use (2008) among adults—United States. MMWR 2011; 59.
- Naumann RB, Dellinger AM, Zaloshnja E, Lawrence BA, Miller TR. Incidence and total lifetime costs of motor vehicle-related fatal and nonfatal injury by road user type, United States, 2005. Traffic Inj Prev 2010;11:353-60.
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