PW 0698 Empowering states to prevent motor vehicle injuries—tools from the CDC

Every day in the United States, over 100 people are killed and thousands more injured in motor vehicle crashes. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control works to prevent motor vehicle crash injuries and their resulting public health and economic burden. In traffic safety, translating research findings into actionable products is a top priority. In the U.S., many of the traffic safety strategies are implemented at the state level. One focus of CDC’s Transportation Safety Team is to create tools and products to empower states, decision makers, and partners to make data-driven and evidence-based decisions for prevention. These tools address a range of state needs and include an online cost-effectiveness calculator, implementation guides for community, tribal, and state programs, a mobility planning tool for older adults, and fact sheets covering a range of topics. As one example, the older adult mobility planning tool was created to help older adults, beginning at age 60, plan for future mobility changes that might increase their risk for motor vehicle crashes and falls. The planning tool was developed based on the trans-theoretical stages of change and iterative testing with older adults. The tool helps older adults think through how they will remain injury free and mobile as they age. This presentation will provide an overview of recent trends in motor vehicle crash injuries and deaths in the United States, CDC’s role in road safety, and of the various CDC tools, prevention products, and state implementation efforts. CDC’s Transportation Safety Team encourages the use of proven strategies for motor vehicle crash injury prevention. Supporting motor vehicle injury prevention in the U.S. ultimately supports global road safety targets including the Decade of Action for Road Safety and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development targets 3.6 and 11.2.