NY Among Top States for Injury Prevention

(NEW YORK) -- When it comes to injury prevention -- with tougher policies on such things as seatbelt use, bike helmets and drunk driving -- New York and California lead the way, according to a new report released Tuesday by the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The report ranks states on steps taken to reduce the risk of accidental injury, the country's fifth-leading cause of death, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

New York and California scored nine out of 10 on a list of injury prevention policies. Eighteen states lack primary seat belt laws; 29 states do not require bicycle helmets for children; 31 states do not require helmets for all motorcycle riders; and 34 states and Washington, D.C. do not require mandatory ignition interlocks for convicted drunk drivers, according to the report.

The rankings also reflect anti-violence and sport safety laws as well as prescription drug monitoring programs.

While New York and California earned top scores, Maryland, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington tied for second place with scores of eight out of 10. Montana and Ohio ranked last with scores of two out of 10.

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