The US lags behind most other high-income countries in saving lives on roads, according to a new report.
Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death in the United States, and data from the new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that held true in 2019.
The report shows the United States had the highest population-based death rate (11.1 per 100,000 population) in 2019 and 2.3 times higher than the average rate for 28 other high-income countries (4.8 per 100,000 population).
America had the 6th highest distance-based death rate (1.11 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled), 1.2 times higher than the average rate for 20 other high-income countries (0.92 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled).
The US also had the 4th highest vehicle-based death rate (1.21 per 10,000 registered vehicles) with the rate being 1.6 times higher than the average rate for 27 other high-income countries (0.78 per 10,000 registered vehicles).
“These are difficult truths to swallow, and they reveal the depth of this public health crisis in one of the most developed countries in the world,” said Mark Chung, executive vice president of roadway practice at National Safety Council.
“And, these disparities have only grown since 2019. We are falling behind our international counterparts and losing lives in preventable crashes in the process. The report notes a lack of US progress in reducing crash deaths, and this must serve as yet another call on all of us to do better and be safer on our roads so we can make it home to our loved ones each and every time.”
