Buckle Up. Drive Sober. Slow Down.

Reducing motor vehicle crash deaths was one of the great public health achievements of the 20th century for the US. However, more than 32,000 people are killed and 2 million are injured each year from motor vehicle crashes. In 2013, the US crash death rate was more than twice the average of other high-income countries.

Key points reported by the Centers for Disease Control:

• About 90 people die each day in the US from crashes — resulting in the highest death rate among comparison countries.
• US crash deaths fell 31% compared to an average 56% in 19 other high income countries from 2000-2013.
• Over 18,000 lives could be saved each year if US crash deaths equaled the average rate of 19 other high-income countries.

Vital Signs is a monthly report that appears as part of the CDC journal, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Content source: Office of the Associate Director for Communications (OADC)