Law Enforcement Officer Motor Vehicle Safety

Motor-vehicle crashes are the leading cause of occupational fatality among Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs), yet data on motor-vehicle-related incidents and motor-vehicle operations are scant. Unfortunately, the limited avail­ability of data makes it difficult for agencies to develop and implement evidence-based prevention programs. NIOSH sponsored a statewide survey on officers’ thoughts about and experiences with motor-vehicle-related incidents. This statewide survey included a random sample of 60 law enforcement agencies and nearly 1,500 sworn LEOs. Respondents were queried on a wide range of topics: motor-vehicle crashes and roadside incidents, seat belt usage, written motor-vehicle policies, and frequency and type of occupational motor-vehicle training.