Public Health and the Law: The Role of Federal and State Government in Automobile Safety
Introduction
According to the centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle-related accidents form the leading cause of death among American people aged 34 years and below. Motor vehicles crashes result from inexperience, impaired driving, general recklessness and faulty vision. Since 1930s, there has been a concern over the number of deaths in American roads, which has further broadened the need to include motor vehicle related deaths as a public health issue. Accordingly, there has been an increased involvement of both the federal and state governments in establishing laws and standards to reduce the number of deaths on American roads (Christoffel & Gallagh, 2011). The purpose of this discussion is to review the role that state and federal governments play in improving motor vehicle safety, with special reference to case studies. The discussion will provide a brief description of laws associated with motor vehicle safety and both the federal and sate level of administration. Arguably, both state and local governments should play an active role in ensuring the public of their safety in the roads, which must include public education, punishment for offenders and regular review of safety standards.
Motor vehicle safety and public health: Case study review
According to the CDC, the number of motor vehicle related deaths has been on the increase since 1925. The percentage of deaths resulting from motor vehicle accidents has risen significantly over the last few decades, with the CDC estimates showing that this has overtaken the percentage of deaths resulting from homicides. In fact, the CDC shows that while homicides account for 45% of the total number of deaths in the US, motor-vehicle related deaths account for 55% of the total deaths. This is an indication that motor vehicle accidents and crashes account for more then half of the total deaths in the United States. However, it is worth noting, from the case study provided by the CDC that the number of motor vehicle-related deaths per 100,000 people (population) has been on the decline since 1966. Similarly, the number of deaths per 100 million miles travelled by motor vehicles has reduced significantly from around 27 per 100,000 people in 1966 to around 2 per 100, 000 people recorded in 1994 (Watkins, Scheaffer & Cobb, 2010). This is an indication that the legal intervention initiated under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 (P.L. 89-563, 80 Stat. 718) have actually yielded positive results.
Federal Laws associated with motor vehicle safety
The national traffic and motor vehicle safety act of 1966 (P.L. 89-563, 80 Stat. 718) was established and enacted into law with an aim of providing for a coordinated establishment of national safety programs through standards for motor vehicles throughout the United States. The act applies to all the states in the US and seeks to reduce the number of accidents, the number of deaths and the number of injuries resulting from motor vehicle related crashes and accidents.
This act required all the regulators in the sector to establish safety standards for motor vehicle safety at the federal level to protect the public against all the unreasonable risks of accidents and injuries resulting from construction, design and performance of automobiles. In addition, it sought to protect the public from unreasonable risk of injuries or deaths whenever an accident occurs.
The 1977 amendment on the Act: The National Highway Safety Agency by the Highway Safety Act of 1966 (P.L. 89-563, 80 Stat. 718) was amended in 1977 in order to include an additional requirement for automobile manufacturers to provide remedies for safety related defects to their customers under no cost whatsoever.
State laws associated with motor vehicle safety
In the state of Florida, a number of laws have been established to control motor vehicles related accidents, deaths and injuries. For instance, the motor vehicle inspection act of Florida requires that once a vehicle passes its initial safety inspection, it must be inspected through a manual system prior to renewal of its registration. In addition, the act requires that not all vehicles that were manufactured 35 years or more ago should be included in the inspection process. According to the Act, vehicles must pass the emission test, with all the diesel automobiles, farm machinery and vehicles 35 or more years old are exempted from the test.
Secondly, Florida has established public traffic regulations that make negligent motorists responsible as well as liable to the motorcyclists in the state. This means that motorcyclists involved in an accident with a motorist can claim compensation for the injuries caused by the negligence of a driver.
The state has also established the Florida traffic Laws, which requires that all riders operating or riding a motorcycle in Florida must fasten their safety belts at all times. In addition, the Florida Eye protection Law requires riders on or operating a motorcycle registered in the state not to wear eye protection (Dionne & LaBerge-Nadeau, 2010).
These, laws enacted in Florida, are more of administrative than judicial. They have been established within the state to maintain safety in the state roads, which means that they do not apply outside the state. This is in contrast with the national traffic and motor vehicle safety act of 1966 (P.L. 89-563, 80 Stat. 718) and its consequent amendments, which are legislative and enforced under the state, local and federal judicial courts. These acts apply to all the states, being developed to cater for the safety of all Americans.
Relevance to public health
The relevance of these laws to public health is not only evidence, but also significant. For instance, the national traffic and motor vehicle safety act of 1966 (P.L. 89-563, 80 Stat. 718) ensures that the public is protected against all the unreasonable risks of accidents and injuries resulting from construction, design and performance of automobiles. In addition, it sought to protect the public from unreasonable risk of injuries or deaths whenever an accident occurs. Similarly, the administrative laws in Florida seek to protect the public from unnecessary risk to injuries, especially due to faulty vehicles, driver negligence and deaths/injuries that could be protected with helmets.
Personal opinion
In my opinion, both the federal and state governments must take a leading role in protecting the public from risks involved in motor vehicle related accidents and collisions. This is because there is need to harmonize the American laws so that the requirements are uniform throughout the nation. For instance, such an arrangement will also ensure that all American citizens are aware of their roles and responsibilities when on roads and when in all parts of the country.
References
Christoffel, T., & Gallagh, S. S. (2011). Injury Prevention and Public Health: Practical Knowledge, Skills, and strategies. Mason, OH: Cengage learning
Dionne, G., & LaBerge-Nadeau, C. (2010). Automobile Insurance: Road Safety, New Drivers, Risks, Insurance Fraud and regulation. New York, NY: Springer
Watkins, A., Scheaffer, R. L., & Cobb, G. W. (2010). Statistics: From Data to Decision. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons
Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.
[order_calculator]