Advocates Urges States to Adopt Highway Safety Legislation During National Public Health Week

"As of April 1st, ten state legislatures have already closed shop for the year, and another dozen legislatures will adjourn by the end of month, leaving missed opportunities on the table and failing to enact any significant highway safety laws in 2007," said Advocates President Judith Stone. "Motor vehicle crashes still represent a major public health epidemic and are the leading cause of death for people ages 3 to 33."

This comes at a time when 43,443 people died in traffic crashes in 2005 (the latest data available), which was the highest number in a single year since 1990 when 44,599 people died. The overall traffic fatality rate was up for the first time in 20 years as well. Another 2.7 million motorists were injured in crashes. The economic costs resulting from motor vehicle crashes exceed $230 billion annually, which is the equivalent toa yearly "crash tax" of $792 on every American.

"It's not too late for some states to act on these lifesaving measures," said Stone. "Proven solutions in the form of effective laws are in your legislative toolboxes. Don't go home without fixing the problem."

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Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety is an alliance of consumer, health and safety groups and insurance companies and agents working together to make America's roads safer. For more information, please visit www.saferoads.org.