Reduction in alcohol-related traffic fatalities--United States, 1990-1992

Abstract

Alcohol-related traffic crashes are a leading cause of unintentional injury deaths and a substantial contributor to health-care costs in the United States. Approximately 40% of persons will be involved in an alcohol-related crash during their lifetime. In 1992, alcohol was involved in an estimated 17,700 traffic fatalities and 355,000 traffic injuries. In 1990, alcohol-related crashes cost $46.1 billion, including $5.1 billion in medical expenses. This report summarizes data regarding alcohol-related traffic fatalities (ARTFs) from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) during 1982-1992.