Itasca, IL The National Safety Council announced today that it would lead a nationwide effort to address the leading cause of injury death in America - motor vehicle crashes. The theme of this year's National Safety Month will be "Crash-Free June", a month-long initiative to change driver behavior that causes crashes.
In 2002, there were 6.3 million motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. reported to law enforcement authorities, resulting in 2.3 million disabling injuries and 44,000 deaths. The NSC estimates the total cost to society of these crashes to be $242.7 billion - representing a cost of more than $800 per year for every American. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury death in America and of injury death at work. Motor vehicle crashes are the eighth leading cause of death overall (behind heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic lower respiratory disease, diabetes, influenza and pneumonia, and Alzheimer's disease).
The NSC estimates that driver behavior contributes to 90% of all motor vehicle crashes. Crashes that were solely caused by vehicle or external factors account for the other 10% of crashes. Several specific driver behaviors and errors account for a significant portion of these crashes. During Crash-Free June, the NSC will provide information, education and focus on these and other driver behaviors and issues that result in crashes.
"Every day in America, an average of 120 people die in motor vehicle crashes," said NSC President Alan McMillan. "There are a number of behavioral and skills issues that contribute to these fatalities and multiple factors are at work in some crashes. About 50 of these daily victims die in crashes in which alcohol use is a factor. Speeding is a factor in about 40 of these daily deaths. Drivers who lose control of their vehicles, resulting in rollovers, are involved in crashes that kill about 25 people per day. Teen drivers are involved in crashes resulting in about 25 fatalities each day. Each death is a personal, local tragedy. Taken together, however, these deaths represent a serious national public health issue."
"The ultimate goal of Crash-Free June is to eliminate motor vehicle crashes, injuries and deaths," McMillan said. "Some may view this goal as unattainable, but striving for zero injuries is the ultimate goal of any safety initiative. Making measurable progress toward this goal will require that motorists develop new driving behaviors. We believe that people who make real changes in their driving behavior during Crash-Free June will adopt those behaviors and exhibit them on a continuing basis. We are hopeful that this national initiative to improve driver behavior will contribute to a safer driving culture with fewer crashes and injuries in June and in the months and years to follow."
"Achieving real results will require broad involvement from across the spectrum of society," McMillan said. "Employers know that motor vehicle crashes involving their employees or dependents cost their organizations staggering amounts in medical care, absenteeism and lost productivity. We call on employers to designate Crash-Free June in their organizations and adopt education and training programs for their employees and families. We encourage families to discuss driver behavior and skills issues, particularly with young and novice drivers, and to take driver training programs offered online and by local NSC chapters and training agencies."
"Elected officials and law enforcement organizations will be asked to raise the profile of Crash-Free June through public proclamations and community-based education events," McMillan said. "We also will ask the news media to help us in providing opportunities to raise the profile of this important public health issue."
The observance of Crash-Free June during National Safety Month in the United States will follow the April 7, 2004 observance of World Health Day. On that date, the World Health Organization (WHO) will lead global attention to the issue of road safety. The WHO reports that 1.2 million people die in traffic crashes each year. For more information about World Health Day, please visit the WHO website at: World Health Organization.
The National Safety Council and its local chapters across the nation will work with interested parties to provide information, education and training programs. Corporate and governmental sponsors are being sought to support and underwrite development and delivery of education and training programs, public service announcements and media outreach. Organizations interested in sponsoring Crash-Free June are encouraged to contact the National Safety Council for more information.
The National Safety Council is a nonprofit, nongovernmental, international public service organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting health. Members of NSC include more than 45,000 businesses, labor organizations, schools, public agencies, private groups and individuals. Founded in 1913, and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1953, the primary focus of the NSC is preventing injuries that occur in workplaces, homes, communities and motor vehicles. For more information about the NSC, visit the NSC website at www.nsc.org or contact your local NSC chapter.
For Immediate Release, February 12, 2004
Media Contact: National Safety Council 630-775-2307 media@nsc.org
