The Problem
Each year in the United States, there are nearly 45,000 motor vehicle-related deaths and
more than 2 million disabling injuries, many of which result in some degree of permanent
impairment. Motor vehicles accidents are the leading cause of death between ages 1 and
44 years, and motor vehicle deaths account for more than half of all accidental deaths each
year. The cost of motor vehicle accidents now exceeds $250 billion per year. The death
rate from motor vehicle accidents is approximately 16 per 100,000 persons.
In addition, studies have revealed a number of other facts about motor vehicle accidents, injuries, and deaths. The data may change over time. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of occupational injuries (35%) and work-related deaths (approximately 40%). For example, in many police departments, more police die as a result of squad car accidents than of gun shots.
Thirty-seven percent of motor vehicle deaths occur between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00
a.m. The death rate per crash generally increases with age. However, it is highest for people
between ages 17 and 30 years, and it also increases dramatically with age for people older
than 65 years. The death rate is lower for high-income individuals and is higher for males
than for females, even after there are adjustments for the greater travel of males.
Approximately 50% of accidents involve frontal crashes; approximately 2% are rear-
end collisions. Of the 50,000 motor vehicle accidents each year, roughly 8,000 involved
rollover of the vehicle, and more than 5,000 involved impact with trees and utility poles.
Estimates suggest that 50% of drivers involved in fatal crashes have a blood alcohol
content (BAC) of 0.10 or more. Some studies suggest that this percentage is significantly
higher. Impairment of driver skills begins at a BAC of 0.05 or less, and all states now
set driving-under-the-influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) limits at 0.08
percent.
There are many factors that contribute to vehicle accidents and statistics, such as
gender and age. Women have a lower accident rate than men do, and the female death rate
from motor vehicle accidents is nearly three times less than that for males. The accident
rate is by far the highest for people in their late teenage years and early twenties.
Driving for long periods of time leads to higher frequency of crashes. Truck drivers who drive for 10hr have nearly twice the risk of being in a crash compared with drivers on the road for less than 2hr.
Passenger restraints contribute to lowering injury and death rates in vehicles acci-
dents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that more
than 8,000 lives were saved between 1983 and 1987 by the use of seat belts. The addition