Injury is the leading cause of death among children and adults up to age 44 and is the leading cause of potential life lost before age 65. In 2005, more than 170,000 Americans of all ages died from injuries from motor vehicle crashes, suicide, falls, poisoning, drug overdoses, drownings, fires and other causes. Because of its impact on the health of all Americans--young and old--preventing injury is a serious public health challenge. State strategies to prevent injuries and save lives include increasing use of safety belts and enforceing laws on drinking and driving and speeding. Other promising policies and new initiatives target prescription drug overdoses and teen driving fatalities.

Deaths from prescription drug overdoses have increased to the point where they exceed deaths from heroin, cocaine and other illicit drugs combined, and most are accidental.  

• Read about two approaches states are using to control abuse of prescription medications -- prescription drug monitoring programs and drug courts-- in the "Accidental Overdoses from Legal Drugs" article from CSG's State News magazine.
• Learn how prescription drug monitoring programs help states control drug misuse in DOJ's Q&A
  • Review 38 state authorizing laws  and  resources from the National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws
• Examine the success of Drug Court programs in a National Association of Drug Court Professionals' brief
  • Find a list of drug courts by state and county
• Consider policy responses to increasing prescription drug overdoses recommended by State Health agencies

The risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among 16- to 19-year-olds than among any other age group, and teen drivers in this age group are four times more likely than older drivers to crash, per mile driven.

Graduated licensing is designed to help reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes involving new drivers by slowly introducing them to high-risk situations, such as driving at night or with passengers. All states have some form of graduated licensing, but they vary widely.

• Become acquainted with state Graduated Driver Licensing  through CSG's Tool Kit
• Find out what your state's laws address
• Learn more about  research and resources in CDC's graduated driver's licensing and teen driver fact sheets
• View experts presentations from the August 2007 Healthy States Forum  on what a GDL system is and the reasoning behind the licensing system.
  • Dr. Arlene Greenspan, senior scientist, CDC
  • Brenda Glahn, assistant general counsel, Illinois Secretary of State
  • Dr. John Lee, director, National Advanced Driving Simulator, University of Iowa 

  • Rep. Phil Lopes, Arizona, on efforts to pass GDL legislation

Several proven strategies can successfully prevent motor vehicle injuries and deaths.   Key among them is reducing excessive alcohol consumption.

• Learn how state legislators can help prevent excessive alcohol consumption through CSG's Talking Points
• Read about New Mexico's approach in "Battling the Bottle"  from CSG's State News magazine