Strengthening Motor Vehicle Occupant Protection Laws: American College of Preventive Medicine Public Policy Statement

Abstract

Burden of Suffering Motor vehicle injuries are the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, killing 40,000 Americans and disabling 1,800,000 each year. (1) Motor vehicle crashes are responsible for more traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries and more potential years of life lost in the United States than any other cause and are the leading cause of death among Americans 5-32 years of age. (1) The death rate from motor vehicle collisions, 1.8/100 million vehicle miles/year, has been gradually declining, a multifactorial trend thought to be associated with improved automobile design and safety features (such as seat belts, collapsible steering columns, improved auto body design) lowered speed limits, improvements in road design, and stringent enforcement of traffic safety laws. (2) Legislation mandates that U.S. automobiles manufactured after September 1, 1989, have automated protection (either air bags, motorized shoulder belt, or automatic lap-shoulder belts anchored to the door) as well as lap-shoulder belts in the rear seats. The air bag is a supplemental restraint system, designed to be used together with lap-shoulder seat belt restraints. Unlike other improvements, seat-belt effectiveness depends directly on their correct use; in most states, despite legislation, only about two thirds of the population use seat belts. (3) Groups with lower use of seat belts are often young drivers, drinking drivers, and those who disobey other traffic laws. (4)