The U.S. Centers for Disease Control reports that more Americans age 5 to 34 are killed in auto accidents than from any other single cause. A recently released study shows that states where auto fatalities are a major issue are not doing much to prevent them.
The top 10 states with the highest rates of auto fatalities are:
Kentucky – averages 784 auto fatalities a year or 18.3 for every 100,000 residents. The state does not have laws mandating motorcycle riders to wear helmets nor does it meet the American Academy of Pediatrics’ standards requiring children under eight years old to use booster seats. This year, Kentucky’s police departments will enforce the nationwide Click It or Ticket initiative (seatbelt use).
Oklahoma – averages 711 auto fatalities each year or 19.5 for every 100,000 residents. The state has not adopted mandatory ignition locks for all convicted drunk drivers, universal helmet laws for motorcyclists or booster seat requirements for all children under eight. Oklahoma does have a primary seatbelt law, but fines for first-time offenders are only $20.
West Virginia – averages 359 auto fatalities each year or 19.8 per 100,000 residents. The state has adopted mandatory helmets for motorcyclists and booster seats for children, but it does not have a primary seatbelt law.
Louisiana – averages 897 auto fatalities a year or 20.2 per 100,000 residents. Although the state has a mandatory ignition lock law for convicted drunk drivers, a mandatory helmet law for motorcyclists and a primary seatblet law, the study says there is ineffective enforcement of these laws.
South Carolina – averages 944 auto fatalities a year or 21.0 per 100,000 residents. The state has no laws requiring convicted drunk drivers to have ignition interlocks, motorcyclists to wear helmets and children under eight to use booster seats. In addition, the South Carolina Senate recently changed a bill that would have banned texting while driving for all drivers with a bill that prohibits texting only for drivers under 18.
Arkansas – averages 619 auto fatalities a year or 21.6 per 100,000 residents. The state has implemented a comprehensive highway safety plan this year to reduce driving while intoxicated deaths, increase seatbelt use and encouraging drivers to slow down.
Wyoming – averages 116 auto fatalities a year or 21.7 per 100,000 residents. The state has the smallest population in the country, with 533,556 residents. Wyoming does not have a primary seatbelt law or a mandatory ignition interlock law for convicted drunk drivers. Attempts to ban texting while driving have failed in each of the past two years.
Alabama – averages 1,014 auto fatalities or 21.7 per 100,000 residents. Alabama does not mandate ignition interlocks for convicted drunk drivers nor does it require booster seats for children under eight years old.
Montana – averages 225 auto fatalities a year or 23.3 per 100,000 residents. The state has not adopted any auto safety policies.
Mississippi – averages 784 auto fatalities a year or 26.7 per 100,000 residents. The state has a primary seatbelt law and motorcycle helmets are mandatory, but it does not have a mandatory ignition lock law for convicted drunk drivers and is one of 18 states not to have a mandatory booster seat law for children eight years old and younger.
As a result of auto fatalities, medical expenses and lost economic productivity costs about $200 billion a year.
