Motor Vehicle Facts
Special Consideration for Teenage
Drivers
Motorcycles
Pedestrians
Motor Vehicle Efforts
Automobile crashes are a significant cause of injury and injury death for people of all ages in Maryland and throughout the United States. Many of these instances are preventable. Steps may be taken to reduce the injuries caused by these crashes.
- In 2005, there were 79,419 emergency department visits, 6,641 hospital discharges, and 624 deaths as a result of motor vehicle-related injuries in Maryland.1
- In 2005, motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of injury death for children ages 5 to 14 years of age.1
What are the solutions?
Seat Belts
- On October 1, 1997, Maryland upgraded from secondary to primary enforcement of seat belt laws. Maryland’s seat belt use rate has increased from 85.0 percent in 2000 to 91.1 percent in 2006.2
- Research findings show that lap/shoulder safety belts reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger, occupants by 45 percent and the risk of moderate- to- critical injury by 50 percent.3
- In a crash, seat belts:
- Spread the force of impact over a large portion of the body;
- Minimize contact with the vehicle’s interior; and
- Protect occupants from being ejected from the car.
Air Bags
- Air bags, combined with lap/shoulder safety belts, offer the most effective safety protection available today for passenger vehicle occupants.
- In 2005, nationally air bags saved an estimated 2,741 lives.4
- Air bags are supplemental protection and are not designed to deploy in all crashes. Most are designed to inflate in moderate- to- severe frontal crash.
DO NOT DRIVE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL
- During 2005, 16,885 people in the U.S. died in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes, representing 39% of all traffic-related deaths.5
- More than half of the 414 child passengers ages 14 and younger who died in alcohol-related crashes during 2005 were riding with the drinking driver.5
Consuming alcohol can inhibit the driver through:
- Dulling judgment and concentration;
- Slowing release and reaction time;
- Leading to multiple, blurred and restricted side and night vision;
- Hindering muscle control and coordination;
- Exaggerating emotions; and
- Increasing drowsiness.
Do Not Drive if You Feel Fatigue
- Every year, falling asleep while driving is responsible for at least 100,000 automobile crashes, 40,000 injuries, and 1,550 fatalities.6
- One of every five drivers admits to having fallen asleep at least once behind the wheel, and 69 percent of motorists report drowsiness while driving.7
Warning Signs that you are tired:
- Your eyes feel sore or heavy;
- You begin day dreaming;
- You continually yawn;
- You feel still or cramped;
- You react slower to traffic;
- Your speed varies for no apparent reason;
- You start making poor gear changes;
- You make rash decisions due to impatience; and
- Your vehicle wanders over the centerline or on the road edge.
Where can I learn more?
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
References
1. Serpi, Tracey, Susanne Dragun, and Lori Demeter. Injury
Related Deaths in Maryland: A Statewide Perspective, 1999- 2000
& Injuries in Maryland: A Statewide Perspective, 1999- 2000.
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Office of Injury Prevention
and Health Assessment. 2001.
2. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC). Center
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Fact Sheet. 2002.
3. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. Primary
Enforcement Saves Lives. 2002.
4. Road Safety Education Officer. Why Wear Seat Belts fact Sheet.
5. National Safety Council. Fact Shhet. Air Bags and saftey Seat
when Used Properly Save Lives. 2001.
6. NCIPC. CDC. Injury Fact Book. 2000-2001.
7. NHTSA. Buckle Up America. 2000.
8. NHTSA. People: Injury Prevention: Drowsy and Distracted Driving.
2001.
9. Department of Transportation (DOT). National Transportation Library.