ABSTRACT
Injury is a major societal problem in the United States. Approximately 140,000 fatalities occur each year due to both intentional and unintentional injuries. Two thirds of these are unintentional, and of these, about one half are attributable to automotive-related injuries. In 1993, the estimated number of automotiverelated fatalities dipped under 40,000 for the first time in the last three decades due to a continuing effort by both the industry and the government to render vehicles safer in crash situations. However, for people under 40 years of age, automotive crashes, falls, and other unintentional injuries are the highest risks of fatality in the United States in comparison with all other causes.
