Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of on and off-the-job accidental deaths in the United States according to the National Safety Council. And in 2008, Liberty Mutual reported that the restraint use rate for automobiles is around 80% and only 60% for commercial trucks.

THE FACTS IN UTAHIn 2013, motor vehicle accidents involving workers employed by WCF policyholders cost $16 million.

· The cost of a motor vehicle claim is nearly 7 times greater than the average workers compensation claim. See Chart 1

· While motor vehicle accidents comprise less than 2% of WCF’s claims, they account for 15% of total claims costs.

For WCF’s policyholders, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of fatalities.

· According to WCF data, workers who are unbelted in a motor vehicle accident are nearly four times more likely to die. See Chart 2

· About half of the unbelted workers who were killed in motor vehicle accidents covered by WCF were thrown from their vehicles.

· 60% of WCF’s 2014 fatality claims were due to motor vehicle incidents.

2013 AVERAGE COST PER CLAIM

MOTOR VEHICLE FATALITY RATE

13.4% 3.5%Unbelted Accidents Belted Accidents

Motor Vehicle Claims Statistics

CHART 2

CHART 1

www.wcf.com

$5,556All Other Claims

MVA Claims $35,754

H.B. 79: Safety Belt Enforcement Amendments sponsored by Representative Lee B. Perry