Motor vehicle traffic crashes as a leading cause of death in the United States, 2004.

In 2004, motor vehicle traffic crashes were the leading cause of death for every age 2 through 34. Because of the young lives consumed, motor vehicle traffic crashes ranked third overall in terms of the years of life lost, i.e., the number of remaining years that the person would be expected to live had they not died, behind only cancer and heart disease. The table shows the 10 leading causes of death by age group in 2004. The age groups reflect categories of interest to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in terms of child-restraint programs (toddlers, infants, and young children), new drivers (youth and young adults), other adults, and older people. (Author/publisher)