over thirteen different criteria, Washington State came out on top when it came to traffic safety. The survey's focus this year was on state trauma systems and curbing repeat offender drunk driving.

Andrew Kim Law Firm, PLLC | Washington Legal News

Washington State Wins Top Scores In Promoting Roadway Safety


Posted on Dec 11, 2008

According to MarketWatch, Washington State and Oregon came out on top when it comes to roadway safety laws. A report written by the Emergency Nurses Association called "2008 ENA National Scorecard on State Roadway Laws: A Blueprint for Injury Prevention," examined the highway safety laws over thirteen different criteria in all fifty states.

"Every year, there are more than 40,000 deaths on our nation's roadways," said ENA President Denise King, RN, MSN, CEN. "We can reduce those numbers and we know how. When it comes to injury prevention, the public is in the driver's seat. We must call on our policy makers to pass laws that are proven to reduce injuries and fatalities. Across the country, emergency department nurses, who treat roadway accident victims every day, are encouraging more and better traffic safety laws."

The lowest-finishing states were Arkansas and the Dakotas. Washington and Oregon received perfect 13-out-of-13 scores. The 13 criteria were based on state legislation concerning seat belt use, child passenger safety; graduated driver licensing for teens, universal motorcycle helmet requirements, ignition interlock devices to prevent drunk driving, and giving the proper officials the authority to develop, maintain and evaluate their state trauma system.

New on the survey this year was a review of state laws convering Ignition Interlocking Devices (IIDs) that prevent cars, trucks, and motorcycles from starting unless the driver can pass a built-in breathalyzer test. When placed in the cars of repeat offender trouble drinkers, the IIDs can reduce DUI incidents by 40 to 90 percent. Currently, 27 states have IID mandates in place.

In addition, there was a focus on making high-level trauma care more available, keeping in mind that 45 million people are an hour away from an appropriate trauma center. Currently, 46 states have passed legislation to make these high-level trauma centers quickly available to everyone.

"Perhaps more than anyone, an emergency nurse understands the role of immediate and appropriate care in preventing injuries from becoming fatalities," said King. "While most people can choose where they receive routine health care, victims of motor vehicle accidents usually have no alternative. They are taken to the closest health care facility. A trauma system ensures that crash victims are taken to trauma centers that can provide the type and level of care commensurate with their injuries."

To read the entire report for 2008, please visit. www.ena.org.

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Bellevue, WA 98004
Phone: (425) 289-1990
Fax: (425) 289-1991
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Tacoma, WA 98409
Phone: (253) 682-2000
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