Truck Accident News

Decreased Alcohol Consumption, Increased Use of Seat Belts Save Lives

"Changes in Traffic Crash Mortality Rates Attributed to Use of Alcohol, or Lack of a Seat Belt, Air Bag, Motorcycle Helmet, or Bicycle Helmet, United States, 1982--2001" is published in the June 2006 issue of Injury Prevention. The researchers studied data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, which collects information on all crashes on public roads in the U.S. that result in a fatality within 30 days.

The researchers cite factors for the changes in the five behaviors over the 20-year period. Citizen groups that influenced attitudes and laws regarding drunken driving have been credited with part of this decrease. The first state seat belt law was adopted in 1984; by 2004, 80 percent of 52,000 observed front-seat motorists were belted, according to a survey by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. By 1994 most new cars had dual air bags, and these were required in cars by 1998 and in light trucks by 1999. Observed helmet use by motorcyclists was 63 percent in 1994, rose to 71 percent in 2000, but declined to 58 percent by 2002, according to a survey by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Bicycle helmet use has become more common in some regions.

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	Did You Know?
	A driver can be disqualified for one year for a first time conviction of the following offenses while operating a commercial vehicle. Penalties can include: Driving under the influence of alcohol or any drugs; Driving with an alcohol concentration of .04 or more; Leaving the scene of an accident; Using a commercial vehicle in the commission of a felony; or Refusing to take a blood alcohol test. If convicted of any of the above while operating a vehicle placarded for hazardous materials, the disqualification increases to three years.