Reduce Injuries Associated with Motor Vehicle Crashes

Motor vehicle travel has become safer over time, but motor vehicle crashes are still the leading cause of death in the first three decades of Americans’ lives. Improving the safety and efficiency of motor vehicles and their occupants is critical to improving the public’s health. Transportation policies are needed to improve the safety of motor vehicles and their occupants to prevent crashes. Advances in medical care are needed to increase the chance of survival for victims of crashes that do occur.

Recommendations

• Provide incentives to states that implement, strengthen, and/or continue to use effective interventions that improve road traffic safety. Examples include:
  • Primary seatbelt laws.
  • Child safety seat and booster seat laws.
  • Alcohol-impaired driving countermeasures.
  • Motorcycle and bicycle helmet laws.
  • Distracted driving laws.
  • Lower speed limits and other efforts to reduce speeding within communities.
  • Comprehensive graduated driver licensing systems.
  • Roadway design measures such as installation of centerline rumble strips.
  • Education on safe driving, bicycling, and walking.
  • Community designs that promote reduced traffic speeds in neighborhoods.
• Increase support for new and existing technologies to improve the safety of motor vehicles.
• Study the effectiveness of providing incentives for Americans to reduce vehicle miles traveled by using alternatives to single occupancy vehicle travel. Examples include:
  • High occupancy vehicle lanes.
  • Congestion pricing.
  • Parking pricing.
  • Carpools, vanpools, and improved public transportation.
• Bring health, transportation, and community planners together to address roadway safety issues through community design.
• Ensure access to trauma care for victims of motor vehicle crashes to improve survival outcomes after a crash.