Information From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Motor vehicle travel is the primary means of transportation in the United States, providing an unprecedented degree of mobility. Yet for all its advantages, deaths and injuries resulting from motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for people of every age from 3 through 6 and 8 through 34 (based on 2005 data). Traffic fatalities accounted for more than 90 percent of transportation-related fatalities. The mission of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is to reduce deaths, injuries, and economic losses from motor vehicle crashes.

Fortunately, much progress has been made in reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on our Nation’s roadways. However, much remains to be done. The economic cost alone of motor vehicle crashes in 2000 was $230.6 billion.