Motor vehicle crashes are by far the leading killer among children, teens, and young adults ages 5-34. Motor vehicle crashes are also among the top 10 causes of death for all age groups in the United States.
Car crashes result in over $41 billion annually in medical and work loss costs.
It’s important that crashes be prevented, and the use of effective programs can reduce the number of injuries and deaths.
In Arizona, there was a total loss of over $1 billion dollars in one year.
More than one thousand Arizonans are killed each year in preventable motor vehicle crashes. Arizona can consider the following evidence-based strategies that are proven to save lives and money:
- Primary enforcement seat belt law that covers all seating positions.
- Strong child passenger safety policies that require age- and size-appropriate child safety and booster seats.
- Comprehensive graduated drivers licensing (GDL) system to help young drivers gain experience under lower-risk conditions.
- Universal motorcycle helmet law that requires all riders to wear helmets.
How can costs due to motor vehicle crashes be reduced?
The best way to reduce costs due to crash-related deaths is to prevent crashes. Effective strategies for preventing crashes include graduated drivers licensing laws, sobriety checkpoints, and ignition interlocks for those convicted of driving while intoxicated.
The next best way to reduce costs is to prevent injuries when crashes do happen. Among the proven ways to prevent injuries during a crash are increasing child safety seat and booster seat use through distribution and education programs, increasing seat belt use through enacting and enforcing primary seat belt laws, and increasing helmet use through comprehensive motorcycle helmet laws.
Working together, we can help keep people safe on the road—every day.