What does this number represent?

42,642

It’s the number of people who were killed in police-reported traffic crashes in the United States in 2006.

Here are some other traffic safety statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

5,973,000 traffic crashes were reported to police in 2006
2,575,000 people were injured in police-reported traffic crashes in 2006
$230.6 billion was the economic cost of motor vehicle crashes in 2000.

5 Safe Driving Practices

During “Drive Safely to Work Week”, share these 5 safe driving practices with your workers.

1. Drive defensively. Be prepared for the unexpected, including watching for mistakes by other drivers.
2. Leave at least a two-second space between you and the vehicle in front of you. Pick out a spot on the road ahead, such as a utility pole. When the vehicle in front of you passes that mark, count two seconds … “one-thousand and two-thousand.” Your vehicle should not pass that point until two full seconds have elapsed. In bad weather and other hazardous conditions, increase this distance.
3. Learn to manage fatigue so you won’t be driving when you are drowsy. If you’re too tired to drive safely, don’t! Plan for an alternative, such as a cab or a friend to pick you up.
4. Have your eyesight checked and, if need be, update your prescription eyewear regularly so that your vision remains sharp.
5. Never drive under the influence or alcohol or drugs. Driving while impaired by prescription drugs, and even hangovers, has been the cause of many incidents.

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