Final answer:
The accidental deaths from motor vehicle crashes were higher than those from drug overdoses in 1999, while by 2014, drug overdoses caused more accidental deaths.
Step-by-step explanation:
Looking at the historical data on accidental deaths in the United States, motor vehicle crashes and drug overdoses have significantly contributed to mortality rates. In 1999, accidental deaths from motor vehicle crashes were more than double those from drug overdoses. However, this trend reversed by 2014, with drug overdoses resulting in close to 40 percent more accidental deaths compared to car crashes, largely due to heroin and opioid painkillers. The American Automobile Association suggests that driver error is responsible for approximately 54 percent of all fatal auto accidents. However, examining 30 random fatal accidents with 14 caused by driver error, statistical analysis would be needed to determine if this proportion is accurate.
Moreover, head and traumatic brain injuries, which are often a result of motor vehicle and motorcycle accidents, also contribute to a significant number of injury-related deaths in various age groups. An important aspect to consider as well is that motor vehicle emissions are not only a direct source of accidental death but also contribute to significant health issues, including smog and air pollution, being responsible for approximately 53,000 early deaths annually from such environmental factors.