{"id":8721,"date":"2012-05-22T14:08:12","date_gmt":"2012-05-22T18:08:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/new-hampshire\/?p=8721"},"modified":"2012-05-24T13:20:05","modified_gmt":"2012-05-24T17:20:05","slug":"how-much-is-n-h-paying-for-the-freedom-to-take-risks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/new-hampshire\/2012\/05\/22\/how-much-is-n-h-paying-for-the-freedom-to-take-risks\/","title":{"rendered":"How Much Is N.H. Paying For The Freedom To Take Risks?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

Safespeed Demonstration<\/p>

<\/p><\/div>\n

According to a report released today by the Trust for America\u2019s Health<\/a>, 659 Granite Staters died from injuries between 2007 and 2009 \u2014 injuries such as concussions, motor vehicle accidents, and unintentional prescription drug overdoses. These injuries are not only a cause of grief for families and communities; they cost state and federal government, insurers, employers and families a total of $6.1 million in medical care and $625 million in lost productivity each year.<\/p>\n

Of all 50 states, only nine had fewer injury-prevention laws than N.H. The last time a seatbelt bill was voted down in New Hampshire, Republic State Sen. Robert E. Clegg Jr told the New York Times<\/a>: \u201cThe citizens of New Hampshire don\u2019t like to be told by anyone else what to do \u2026 [rejecting this bill] preserves New Hampshire\u2019s way of not succumbing to the bribes of the federal government and New Hampshire\u2019s belief that every adult can make his or her own choices in life.\u201d Other laws N.H. has not passed include required motorcycle and bicycle helmets; drunk-driving ignition interlocks for convicted drunk drivers; and booster seats that meet AAP standards for children.
\n<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

SpeedSafety Demonstration<\/p>

<\/p><\/div>\n

In a state that believes in personal freedom above all else, this data begs the question: how much are Granite Staters paying to maintain their sense of liberty? How effective are these injury-prevention laws?<\/p>\n

One figure suggests that safety laws may correlate less with injury rates than one might expect. \u00a0When compared to the rest of the country, New Hampshire ranks 8th \u2014\u00a0very low \u2014 for injury-related deaths per 100,000 people.<\/p>\n

Related<\/h4>
Posts<\/h5>