2. Motor-Vehicle-Crash Related Injuries:
Motor vehicle-related injuries kill more children and young adults than
any other single cause in the United States. For people of all ages, motor
vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death from injury.18
HOW DOES IT AFFECT THE U.S?
 In 2013, crash deaths resulted in $44 billion in medical and work
loss costs.1,2
 Motor vehicle crashes are a top 10 cause of death among people
aged 1–54.2
In 2012, more than 2.5 million Americans went to
the emergency department (ED)—and nearly 200,000 were then
hospitalized from motor vehicle crashes.4
 In 2014, motor vehicle crashes caused approximately 32,675
fatalities in the United States, a 0.7 percent decrease from the
32,894 fatalities in 2013.7
 From 2013 to 2014 there was a 1.1 percent increase in the
number of people injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes.7
 In 2014, states without universal motorcyclist helmet laws had 10
times as many fatalities (1,565 unhelmeted fatalities) compared
to states with universal helmet laws (151 unhelmeted fatalities).7
 In 2014, 4,586 people died in motorcycle crashes, a 2.3%
decrease from 4,692 in 2013.7
 In 2014, 9,967 people lost their lives in alcohol-impaired-driving
crashes.7
 In 2014, 24% of alcohol-impaired drivers in fatal crashes had a
current suspended or revoked license.7
 In 2013, there were 4,735 pedestrian fatalities due to traffic
crashes, a 2% decrease from 4,818 in 2012.8
 In 2013, pedestrian deaths accounted for 14% of all traffic
fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes (69% were males and
31% females).8

3.  In 2013, someone was injured in approximately 18% of crashes
involving a distracted driver.9
 In 2014 there were 3,179 people killed and an estimated 431,000
injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.15
 In 2012, an estimated 3,031 lives (of people 5 years and older)
could have been saved if all motor vehicle occupants were
restrained on every trip.12
 In 2013, an estimated 2,800 deaths could have been prevented if
drivers and front-seat passengers wore seat belts.13
HOW DOES IT AFFECT WEST VIRGINIA?
 Proper seat belt usage reduces the risk of serious injuries and
deaths in a crash by half; 84% of drivers and front seat
passengers wear seat belts in West Virginia compared to the 86%
of individual who wear seat belts nationally.12
See Figure 1.
 In 2010, 4.6% of total fatal crashes were due to a distraction
(approximately 13 crashes).5
 In 2012, 2.2 % of drivers (approximately 10 people) died in a
crash due to distracted driving.5
 In 2014, distracted driving caused approximately 271 fatalities in
West Virginia, an 18% decrease from the 332 fatalities in
2013.6,11
 In 2013, the majority of motor vehicle fatalities were in people
20-64 years old.1
See Figure 2.
 In 2013, pedestrian fatalities accounted for 8.4% of total traffic
fatalities in West Virginia.8
 In 2013, crash – related deaths resulted in $397 million in
medical and work loss costs for West Virginia.1,2
See Figure 3.

4. HOW DO WE ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM?
Although the toll of motor vehicle crashes is substantial, it does not
represent an insurmountable problem. To prevent these tragedies, we
need to Adopt, Adapt, or Develop evidence-based intervention
strategies, services, programs, and policies that can prevent motor
vehicle related injuries. The impact of these interventions can be
important. For example:
Increase the use of child safety seat that require proper car seat and
booster seat use through at least age 87
 Impact:
o Protects the child from being thrown out of the vehicle
during collision
o Absorbs the force
o Prevents crushing of the child by other passengers.
Increase sobriety checkpoints
 Sobriety checkpoints can be set up on roadways to stop vehicles
“randomly” to check for impaired drivers.
 Impact:
o Reduces alcohol related deaths and crashes from DWI
Mandate driver education courses
 Impact:
o Helps drivers learn skills that are essential for safe
operation of a vehicle
o Improves driving skills and safe driving behaviors
o Reduces the cost of car insurance
Increase visibility aids for nighttime pedestrians & cyclists
 Wear retro-reflective clothing, carry a flashlight at night, use
reflectors, or wear glow in the dark clothing
 Impact:
o Increases visibility
o Enables drivers to detect pedestrians and cyclists earlier
Increase the use of motorcycle helmets
 Impact:
o Decreases motorcycle-related deaths and injuries
o Reduces the risk of head injuries
o Increases the chances of survival in an accident

5. Driver Safety Laws Implemented in WV:
Primary Law: A statement of the law itself from a governmental entity, such as a court, legislature,
executive agency, President or Governor. Ex: Primary seat belt laws allow law enforcement officers to ticket
a driver or passenger for not wearing a seat belt, without any other traffic offense taking place.3
Secondary Law: Extensive citations to primary legal materials and other relevant secondary source. Ex:
Secondary seat belt laws state that law enforcement officers may issue a ticket for not wearing a seat belt only
when there is another citable traffic infraction.3
Seat Belt Law3
 As of August 1, 2013, West Virginia had a primary enforcement
seat belt law for only the front seating positions.
Child Passenger Restraint Law3
 A law that requires child passengers to travel in appropriate child
passenger restraints or booster seats, until adult seat belts fit them
properly.
 As of August 1, 2013, West Virginia required that all motor
vehicle passengers aged 7 years or younger be in a car seat or
booster seat.
Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system Law3
 A policy that aids new drivers to gain experience under low-risk
conditions by granting driving privileges in phases. As teens
move through GDL stages, they are given additional privileges,
such as driving unsupervised or with a passenger.
 As of August 1, 2013, West Virginia fulfilled both the
recommended nighttime driving and passenger limit restrictions,
as well as the learner’s permit mandatory holding period
component. West Virginia did not fulfill the other two GDL
components: 1) minimum age of 16 years for a learner’s permit
2) minimum age of 18 years for full licensure
Ignition interlock law3
 A law that mandates the use of ignition interlocks for drivers
convicted of DWI. An ignition interlock is a device that evaluates
the driver's blood alcohol content and disabling the vehicle's
ignition if the driver's breathe contains alcohol.
 As of August 1, 2013, West Virginia required ignition interlocks
for all convicted DUI offenders

6. Motorcycle Law14

Requires that all motorcycle operators and passengers must wear
a helmet that is securely fastened to the head by either a neck or
chin strap.
WV laws to prevent distract driving5

Handheld ban for all drivers (Primary law)5

Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)5

Ban on cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice
drivers (Primary law)5
Evidence Based Programs in WV
1) Governor’s Highway Safety Program7
Description: The mission of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program is
to nurture grassroots initiatives, programs and projects that promote
occupant protection, supports law enforcement, and stop impaired
drivers, thereby reducing crashes, injuries and fatalities on the highways
of West Virginia
2) WV DUI Safety and Treatment Program16
West Virginia law stipulates that individuals, found to have been
operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated -- either by failing a sobriety
test of refusing to test, must complete a mandated comprehensive safety
and treatment program
3) WV LifeSavers17
Description: The primary goal is to assist law enforcement officers in
the enforcement and education of highway safety laws and
programs. The program identifies officers and agencies that have shown
an interest in highway safety matters through their efforts in
enforcement, training, and public relations. WV LifeSavers will assist
those identified by providing equipment and training, which would not
normally be available, and will aid in their efforts to keep our highways
and communities safe.

7. ADDITIONAL RESOURSES
Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy:
www.jhsph.edu/InjuryCenter
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control: CDC:
www.cdc.gov/injury
Figure 1: Shows the percentage rate of drivers and front seat passengers wearing seat belts in
the United States compared to West Virginia for the years 2010 - 2013.19
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Percentage
Year
Seat Belt Use
United States West Virginia

8. Figure 2: Shows a breakdown of the cost by age group - Children: 0–14, Teens: 15–19, Young
Adults: 20–34, Adults: 35–64, Older Adults: 65+ for 2013.1
Figure 3: Shows the fraction of West Virginia’s medical & work loss cost to United States cost
overall.1
40%
42%
11%
4%
3%
WV Motor Vehicle Crash Deaths By Age Group
Adults (35-64)
Young Adults
(20-34)
Teens (15-19)
Children (0-14)
Older Adults
(65+)
99% 99% 1%1%
Medical and Work Loss Costs
$44 billion
medical cost
and loss costs
$393 million
work loss costs
$4 million
medical costs
West Virginia
United States

9. REFERENCES
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of
Unintentional Injury Prevention. (2015, December 14). State-Specific Costs of Motor Vehicle Crash Deaths.
Retrieved December 14, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/statecosts/
2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of
Unintentional Injury Prevention. (2015). Motor Vehicle Crash Deaths: Costly but Preventable. Retrieved
December 14, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/pdf/statecosts/wv-2015costofcrashdeaths-
a.pdf
3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Prevention Status Report | 2013. Motor Vehicle
Injuries West Virginia. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/psr/2013/motorvehicle/index.html#seat
4 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. (2014,
October 7). Motor Vehicle Crash Injuries. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/crash-
injuries/index.html
5 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. (2014,
September 18). Data & Statistics (WISQARS™): Cost of Injury Reports. Retrieved from
https://wisqars.cdc.gov:8443/costT/ProcessPart1FinishOutServlet
6 Governor’s Highway Safety Program. DMV Announces WV Roadway Fatalities Down 18%. Retrieved
from http://www.transportation.wv.gov/dmv/News/Pages/DMV-Announces-WV-Roadway-Fatalities-Down-
Eighteen-Percent.aspx
7 NHTSA’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2016, March). TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS
Research Note. 2014 Motor Vehicle Crashes: Overview. Retrieved from http://www-
nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/812246.pdf
8 NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration. (2015, February). Traffic Safety Facts 2013 Data. Retrieved from http://www-
nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/812124.pdf
9 NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2015, April). Distracted Driving 2013. Retrieved
from http://www.distraction.gov/downloads/pdfs/Distracted_Driving_2013_Research_note.pdf
10 Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy. (2012). Preventing Injuries in Maryland. Retrieved
from http://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/johns-hopkins-center-for-injury-research-and-
policy/publications_resources/CenterPubs/PolicyResource2012/JHCIRP_POSTbook.pdf
11 West Virginia: Cell phone laws, legislation. (2008). Retrieved September 18, 2015, from
http://handsfreeinfo.com/west-virginia-cell-phone-laws-legislation/
12 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division
of Unintentional Injury Prevention. (2015, May 14). Buckle Up: Restraint Use State Fact Sheets. Retrieved
from http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/seatbelts/states.html
13 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Safety belts. Retrieved from
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/general-statistics/fatalityfacts/state-by-state-overview
14 Edgar Snyder & Associates® A Law Firm Representing Injured People. West Virginia Motorcycle Helmet
Law. Retrieved from https://www.edgarsnyder.com/motorcycle-accidents/state-helmet-laws/west-
virginia.html
15 U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Facts and Statistics.
Retrieved from http://www.distraction.gov/stats-research-laws/facts-and-statistics.html
16 WV Bureau for Behavioral Health & Health Facilities. WV DUI Safety and Treatment Program
Requirements. Retrieved from
http://www.dhhr.wv.gov/bhhf/sections/programs/ProgramsPartnerships/AlcoholismandDrugAbuse/Pages/W
VDUIResidents.aspx

10. 17 WV Governor’s Highway Safety Program. About WV LifeSavers. Retrieved from
http://wvlifesavers.com/
18 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System
(WISQARS). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/ injury/wisqars.
19 NHTSA’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2016, March). Seat Belt Use in 2014—Use
Rates in the States and Territories. Retrieved from : http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/812149.pdf
Acknowledgement:
A special thanks to Parth Patel for his hard work and dedication in compiling
the Motor-Vehicle Crash Related Injuries section of the WV Policy Resource
Guide.

11. Notes