SUMMARY

• Motor vehicle crashes caused the deaths of 1,414 Native American children and youth during 1989 to 1998.
• All Indian Health Service (IHS) Areas except Alaska had motor vehicle-related death rates higher than the U.S. national rate; nine Areas had rates higher than 95% of all state rates.
• Rates were highest among those 15 to 19 or under 5 years of age.
• Among Native Americans, 56% of the fatalities were motor vehicle occupants; 22% were pedestrians.
• Infants died as occupants in 3% of all Native American motor vehicle crashes.
• During the most recent period, 1997–1998, Native American males died in motor vehicle crashes at rates 2.5 times greater than those of black or white males. The death rates for Native American females were actually higher than rates for black or white males. Native American females were 2.8 times more likely to die from motor vehicle injuries than black females and 2 times more likely than white females.
• From 1989 to 1998, motor vehicle-related death rates for Native Americans declined by 18%.