Previous Story
CNMI gets $40,244 grant for occupant protection program
|
Posted on May 17 2005
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has approved a $40,244 grant that will be used to implement its programs on safe driving in the CNMI.
In a recent letter to Gov. Juan N. Babauta, NHTSA administrator Jeffrey Runge said that the CNMI government met the requirements for an occupant protection incentive grant by adopting programs that promote safety belt use, child passenger safety and education, and the imposition of a minimum $25-fine for violation of safety belt and child passenger safety laws.
“The CNMI is now authorized to proceed with implementing its occupant protection program,” Runge said. “This program has been authorized through May 31, and funds must be obligated by that time. If additional fiscal year 2005 funds become available, we will notify the Commonwealth of its proportionate share.”
“We are confident that future reductions in highway crashes, injuries and deaths will result from the programs you are implementing,” he said.
Runge commended the CNMI’s Legislature and the Department of Public Safety for enacting laws and implementing them to promote occupant safety on the islands’ roads and highways.
According to the DPS, the risk of dying in a rollover crash is reduced by up to 80 percent by wearing a safety belt. Motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of death in the U.S. for ages three to 33, according to the department, citing a recent survey.
The economic cost of police-reported crashes in 2003 involving 15 to 20 years old was about $40.8 billion, DPS said.
Lap/shoulder safety belts, when used, reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45 percent for front-seat passenger, and 50 percent of moderate critical injury. DPS said that between 1975 and 2000, safety belts prevented 135 fatalities and 3.8 million injuries, saving $585 billion in medical and other costs.
If all vehicles occupants had used seat belts during that period, nearly 315,000 deaths and $5.2 million injuries could have been prevented and $913 million in costs saved.
