10 most expensive states by cost of crash deaths

Consumer Reports News: May 11, 2011 04:33 PM

Motor vehicle deaths are tragic to families and loved ones, and they are also very costly. A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that in 2005, the over 30,000 crash-related deaths resulted in $41 billion in medical and work loss costs.

As the CDC is joining the fight to help reduce road deaths with the United Nations' Decade of Action for Road Safety campaign, the agency looked at the costs of these crash deaths by state. They found that half of all costs were in 10 states.

Here is the list of the states with the highest medical and work loss costs:

California ($4.16 billion)
Texas ($3.50 billion)
Florida ($3.16 billion)
Georgia ($1.55 billion)
Pennsylvania ($1.52 billion)
North Carolina ($1.50 billion)
New York ($1.33 billion)
Illinois ($1.32 billion)
Ohio ($1.23 billion)
Tennessee ($1.15 billion)

To help reduce the cost of these preventable accidents on the nation's roads, the CDC recommends a few strategies proven to help save lives and money.

Primary enforcement of seat-belt law (in all seating positions).
Stronger requirements for child car and booster seats.
Comprehensive graduated drivers licensing (GDL) program for young drivers to gain experience and reduce their risk.
Law to require all motorcycle riders to wear helmets.

Some states already have many of these laws already in place, but if all states adopt these programs, there can be further impact in helping to reduce the effects of deadly crashes on our roads. The public may support such efforts, as a recent AAA study found that Americans want more laws in exchange for safer roads and fewer deaths.

Learn more about car safety, including safety features, kids and cars, and safety ratings.

Related:
The price of life

—Liza Barth

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