Motor vehicle-related injuries are the leading cause of death among children and young adults in the United States and the leading cause of death from unintentional injury for people of all ages. More than 41,000 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes each year, and another 3.5 million people sustain nonfatal injuries. Crash injuries result in about 290,000 hospitalizations and million emergency department visits annually. Viewed from a purely economic perspective, the societal burden of crash injuries and deaths is tremendous. Motor vehicle-related deaths and injuries cost the United States more than $230 billion annually, including $59 billion in property damage, $61 billion in lost productivity, and $33 billion in medical expenses. Alcohol-related crashes contribute substantially to these costs, with a direct economic impact of about $51 billion in 2000 alone. Reduction of motor vehicle injuries remains a formidable public health challenge, despite sharp declines in motor vehicle—related death rates since 1925. Three of the most important preventive measures to further reduce motor vehicle occupant injuries and deaths are use of child safety seats, use of safety belts, and deterrence of alcohol-impaired driving. This chapter provides recommendations on interventions to increase use of child safety seats, to increase use of safety belts, and to reduce alcohol-impaired driving. These areas were chosen because (1) use of child safety seats and safety belts are below national goals; (2) 55% of traffic deaths are among motor vehicle occupants who were not properly restrained; and (3) 41% of traffic deaths involve alcohol. In addition, these three behaviours are modifiable risk factors that can be addressed using a variety of intervention strategies. Thus, reducing these three risk behaviours could dramatically reduce injuries to motor vehicle occupants. (Author/publisher)
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