Overview of Road Safety in the United States

Jeff Michael, Ed.D.Associate Administrator

National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationFebruary 16, 2009

2007 Traffic Safety Snapshot2007 Traffic Safety SnapshotTraffic fatalities and injuries continue to decrease

–41,059 fatalities (Down 3.9% from 2006)(1.37 per 100 million VMT)Lowest level since 1994

–2.49 million people injured3.3% decline from 2006Decline for the eighth year in a row

Factors Contributing to 2007 Decline• Increased Seat Belt Use

1 percentage point increase to 82% ~270 lives saved for each 1% increase (Up from 58% in 1994)

• Impaired DrivingDown 3.7% from 2006(Down about 30% since 1988)

• Improvements in Vehicle Safety

• Motorcycle CrashesUp 6.6% over 2006

13% of 2007 fatalities

(Increased by 125% since 1998)

Factor Opposing 2007 Decline

Fatalities Involving Large Trucks

• Large-truck fatalities down 4.4% in 2007

• 4,808 fatalities (12% of all fatalities)

– 75% were occupants of other vehicles

– 8% were nonoccupants

– 17% were occupants of large trucks

Early 2008 Estimate

• 10% decline in overall traffic fatalities

• 3.5% decline in vehicle miles traveled

Motor Vehicle Safety at Work• Crashes cost employers $60 billion annually

in medical care, legal expenses, property damage, and lost productivity.

– drive up the cost of workers’ compensation, Social Security, and private health and disability insurance.

Cost of Crashes

• Average crash costs an employer $16,500.

• On-the-job injury crash costs $74,000.

• On-the-job fatal crash costs $500,000.

• Off-the-job crashes also cost employers.

Countermeasures That Work

• Employers have extra control on driver behavior

• Employers can adopt new safety technologies more quickly than the general public.

• On-the-job driving habits can affect off-the-job behaviors

Behavioral StrategiesFocus on greatest potential: – Seat belt use – require use at all times – Impaired driving – screening and brief intervention – Motorcycle safety – require helmet use– Partnerships – engage in community traffic safety

Vehicle Safety Strategies

Select Safety Features:• Electronic stability control• Side air bags• Roll-over protection• Tire pressure monitoring

www.safercar.gov

Rollover Probability by Vehicle Type

www.nhtsa.gov

www.safercar.gov

Thank You