About 90 people die each day in the US from crashes— resulting in the highest death rate among comparison countries.*
U.S. crash deaths fell 31% compared to an average of 56% in 19 other high-income countries* from 2000-2013.
Over 18,000 lives could be saved each year if U.S. crash deaths equaled the average rate of 19 other high-income countries.
Drivers and passengers can:
- Use a seat belt in every seat, on every trip, no matter how short.
- Make sure children are always properly buckled in the back seat in a car seat, booster seat, or seat belt, whichever is appropriate for their age, height, and weight.
- Choose not to drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs, and help others do the same.
- Obey speed limits.
- Drive without distractions (such as using a cell phone or texting).
There were more than 32,000 crash deaths in the US in 2013. These deaths cost more than $380 million in direct medical costs.
Seat belts saved over 12,500 lives in the U.S. in 2013, yet:
- The US had lower-than-average front and back seat belt use compared with other high-income countries.
- About half of drivers or passengers who died in crashes in the U.S. weren’t buckled up.
Want to learn more? www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/motor-vehicle-safety
*Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel,
