Traffic Safety Facts: Crash Facts

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September 23rd, 2016

In 2015, the use of seat belts in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 13,941 lives of occupants 5 and older, and an estimated 2,573 lives of occupants 13 and older were saved by frontal air bags. An estimated 266 child occupants 4 and younger were saved by the use of child restraints, and 1,772 lives were saved by the use of motorcycle helmets. An additional 2,804 lives would have been saved in 2015 if all unrestrained passenger vehicle occupants 5 and older involved in fatal crashes had worn their seat belts. Similarly, if all motorcyclists had been helmeted, then an additional 740 lives would have been saved. An estimated 537 lives were also saved due to minimum-drinking-age laws.