|
Car accidents are one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in the United States. Every day, thousands of drivers, passengers and pedestrians are placed at risk. In addition, many workers are at high risk of injury and death from traffic-related motor vehicle crashes. About three workers die from these crashes each day. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) requests help in preventing worker deaths associated with motor vehicles. From 1980 to 1992, motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of work-related deaths in U.S. workers. During this period, traffic-related motor vehicle crashes accounted for the deaths of 15,830 workers—or 20% of all fatal workplace injuries. Also during that period, 1,997 worker deaths were associated with motor vehicle crashes that were not related to traffic on a public highway. The number of traffic-related deaths was eight times the number not related to traffic.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) requests help in preventing worker deaths associated with motor vehicles. From 1980 to 1992, motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of work-related deaths in U.S. workers. During this period, traffic-related motor vehicle crashes accounted for the deaths of 15,830 workers—or 20% of all fatal workplace injuries. Also during that period, 1,997 worker deaths were associated with motor vehicle crashes that were not related to traffic on a public highway. The number of traffic-related deaths was eight times the number not related to traffic.
EMPLOYMENT AUTO ACCIDENT FATALITIES:
For the period 199092, NTOF data indicate that 3,066 workers died from motor vehicle crashes related to traffic [NIOSH 1996]. Of these worker deaths, 2,523 (82%) were successfully matched with FARS data. These deaths involved
—2,438 events that involved at least one work-related fatality, and
—2,104 motor vehicles occupied by at least one fatally injured worker.
The average annual fatality rate associated with motor vehicle crashes was 0.7 per 100,000 workers (note that the rates presented in this Alert are per 100,000 workers and are not calculated on the basis of miles driven).
The characteristics of the fatally injured workers, the events, and the vehicles involved are described in more detail as follows.
Fatally Injured Workers
Sex.—Of the 2,523 workers fatally injured in traffic-related motor vehicle crashes, 93% were male. The injury rate for male workers was 11 times that for female workers (1.2 compared with 0.1 per 100,000 workers).
Age.—Nearly 70% of the motor-vehicle-related fatalities occurred among workers aged 25 to 54. Workers aged 30 to 34 were involved in the highest number of fatalities (360), and workers aged 65 and older had the highest fatality rate—1.3 per 100,000 workers (Table 1).
Drivers, Passengers, and Pedestrians.—Most fatally injured workers were drivers (76%); 14% were pedestrians, and 9% were passengers.
Restraints.—Of the 2,158 fatally injured workers who were either drivers or passengers in a motor vehicle, 62% were not using any type of safety restraint. Thirteen percent used lap and shoulder belts, and nearly 5% used lap belts. Information about the type of restraint was not provided from the FARS data for 19% of these fatally injured workers.
Blood Alcohol Concentration.—Blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) were provided for 72% (1,812) of the fatally injured workers:
| BAC (g/dl) |
Fatally
injured workers
|
| 0 |
1,601 |
(88%) |
|
0.010.09 |
79 |
(4%) |
|
0.10+ (legal limit in most States) |
132 |
(7%) |
Of the fatally injured drivers, 75% (1,451) had BAC results that were reported in the data:
| BAC (g/dl) |
Fatally
injured workers
|
| 0 |
1,269 |
(87%) |
|
0.010.09 |
68 |
(5%) |
|
0.10+ (legal limit in most States) |
114 |
(8%) |
|
Table 1. Occupational deaths from traffic-related motor vehicle
crashes by age of worker, 199092 |
| |
Deaths |
| Age of worker |
Number |
%* |
Rate† |
| 1619 |
77 |
3.1 |
0.5 |
| 2024 |
222 |
8.8 |
0.6 |
| 2529 |
306 |
12.1 |
0.7 |
| 3034 |
360 |
14.3 |
0.7 |
| 3539 |
330 |
13.1 |
0.7 |
| 4044 |
256 |
10.2 |
0.6 |
| 4549 |
271 |
10.7 |
0.8 |
| 5054 |
235 |
9.3 |
0.9 |
| 5559 |
192 |
7.6 |
0.9 |
| 6064 |
141 |
5.6 |
1.0 |
| 65+ |
133 |
5.3 |
1.3 |
| *Column does not add to 100 because of rounding.
†Rates were calculated as number of deaths per 100,000 workers per year using annual average employment data from Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment and Earnings [DOL 1991, 1992, 1993]. |
Of the drivers who had BACs of 0.10 g/dl or higher,
—33 were driving pickup trucks,
—32 were driving tractor-trailer trucks, and
—12 were driving 2- or 4-door sedans.
Industry and Occupation.—Of the 2,523 workers fatally injured in traffic-related motor vehicle crashes, 35% (880) worked in the transportation/communication/public utilities industry. Industry sectors with the highest number of work-related deaths from motor vehicles were establishments engaged in trucking service (689) and construction (332). Sectors with rates three or more times the overall rate of work-related deaths from motor vehicles are listed in Table 2. Trucking service establishments had a rate 17 times the average annual rate of motor vehicle fatalities for all workers.
Of the 2,523 fatally injured workers, 43% (1,091) were employed in transportation and material moving occupations. Truck drivers had the highest number of work-related deaths from motor vehicles (973). Occupations with rates four or more times the average annual rate of death (per 100,000 workers) from motor vehicles are listed in Table 3. Truck drivers had the highest rate, followed closely by garbage collectors.
If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident and wish to speak to an attorney, simply fill out our free evaluation form. State the details of your question, case or problem, and click the "submit" button. The form will be sent to the sponsored personal injury lawyer for evaluation. That lawyer will personally evaluate your case, contact you to further discuss your situation, or attempt to refer you to a qualified lawyer who may be able to assist you. Please be advised that by submitting a free consultation form, you are not entering into an attorney client relationship with the individual firm or lawyer.
Injured Person Information:
Accident / Injury Information:
Case Description*
Please explain exactly what happened, trying to state
as thoroughly as possible who you believe was responsible
and why you believe that person was negligent:
|
Please explain the full extent of the victims injuries:
|
Comments / Additional Information
Is there anything else that would assist us in
understanding the facts of your case?
|
|
