A data report just released shows from 2015 – 2019 that injuries and deaths from motor vehicle crash in the United States (U.S.) is not falling when compared with 28 other high-income economic nations. While MVC’s are preventable, the U.S. experiences an average of 36,791 deaths per year (101 deaths per day) from MVC’s. This is evident by the 2019 U.S. death rate being 2.3 times higher than the average rate of 28 other high-income nations. This is important because if the U.S. were to achieve the average population-based crash death rate, by lowering the incidence of crashes in the U.S. we could save approximately 20,517 lives and $280.5 million in medical costs per year in the U.S. The opportunities for progress and proven strategies that can save lives, prevent injuries, and avert medical costs exist.

Some of this injury challenge is unique to the U.S. For example, approximately 30% of U.S. MVC’s (>10,000 deaths a year) are attributed to alcohol-impaired driving. While 26 of the 29 nations in the study have 0.05 grams per deciliter (g/dL) Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) laws, based on evidence that the chosen higher 0.08 BAC laws in the U.S. are allowing for some impairment. In 2018 Utah became the first U.S. state to lower their law’s BAC to the 0.05 BAC level and in 4 years the results show substantial reductions in MVC’s, alcohol-involved MVC’s, and MVC deaths per mile driven.

The U.S. also has inconsistent levels of restraint use among drivers, passengers, and car safety seat use for under age 12 child passengers. In 2019, 47% of MVC’s where a passenger occupant was killed, the occupants killed were also not using a restraint device. The adoption and enforcement of primary seat belt laws that cover all vehicle seating positions could increase seat belt use, as will well-publicized and high-visibility law enforcement efforts. As of June 2022 only 20 states currently have a primary enforcement seat belt law in place that covers all seating positions.

Additionally, the U.S. has a driving speed risk factor that is less common in the other nations in the study. In fact in 27% of MVC’s that involve deaths, speeding is a contributing factor. Also, by reducing driving speeds fewer bicyclist and pedestrian deaths would occur each year in the U.S. Additional risk factors such as distraction, drug impairment, and fatigue also contribute to thousands of crash deaths every year.

There are proven strategies that the U.S. can implement and should use to address our leading risk factor causes of higher MVC’s: impaired driving, limited occupant restraint use and higher driving speeds. The Safe System is a proactive approach that prioritizes safety for all road users, accommodates for human error and human vulnerability, and incorporates road and vehicle designs that reduce crashes as well as deaths and injuries when crashes do occur. The Safe System approach highlights safe road users, safe vehicles, safe speeds, safe roads, and post-crash care as its five elements. These methods can be applied for any community to help make the roadways safer for all users and many other proven strategies as well. For more help with this public health challenge seek assistance from an injury prevention specialist.