Top 10 Accidental Deaths in 2017

Nov. 30, 2018
Unintentional deaths from injuries rose 5.3% between 2016 and 2017.

New analysis from the National Safety Council (NSC) indicates unintentional deaths hit their highest number in history in 2017.

The data, released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), shows fatalities resulting from preventable accidents rose to 169,936 in 2017, a 5.3% increase from 2016.

"For years, the United States has accepted unintentional injuries as an unavoidable reality. These data show us that our collective complacency costs us 466 lives every day," the NSC stated. "The truth is, there is no such thing as an accident. We know what to do to save lives, but as a nation, we have not consistently prioritized safety at work, at home and on the road."

The number of preventable fatalities was driven in large part by the opioid epidemic in the United States.

An American is killed accidentally every three minutes by a drug overdose, a motor vehicle crash, a fall, a drowning, a choking incident or another preventable occurrence, according to the NSC.

Sponsored Recommendations

May 15, 2025
Foot safety is a serious concern. At your next safety meeting, give your crew eye-opening facts about feet and how proper footwear matters more than they may know. Show your team...
May 15, 2025
If reimbursing employees for safety footwear is how its always been done, maybe its time to learn about the advantages a managed footwear program can offer instead. See a ...
May 15, 2025
At Red Wing for Business, we know that protecting your crew is paramount. As foot safety experts, weve put together a checklist to help uncover hazards. From slips and punctures...
May 15, 2025
Many companies are expanding their definition of ROI especially when it comes to elevating safety for their employees. This overview from Red Wing for Business helps EHS professionals...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!