Teen Driving
Teen Driving
Driving a car is one of the most important rites of passage for young teens. For them it signifies independence and maturity. What some of these teens don’t realize is that with this rite of passage comes great responsibility.
Teen Driving Accident Statistics
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, accounting for 36% of all deaths in this age group. However, research suggests that the most strict and comprehensive graduated drivers licensing programs are associated with fatal accident reductions of 38% and 40% for 16-year old drivers.
In 2004, the motor vehicle death rate for male drivers and passengers ages 16 to 19 was more than one and a half times that of their female counterparts (19.4 per 100,000 compared with 11.1 per 100,000). Among male drivers between 15 and 20 years of age who were involved in fatal crashes in 2005, 38% were speeding at the time of the crash and 24% had been drinking. In the U.S. during 2004, 4,767 teens ages 16 to 19 died of injuries caused by motor vehicle crashes. During 2005, nearly 400,000 motor vehicle occupants in this age group sustained nonfatal injuries severe enough to require treatment in an emergency department.
Causes of Teenage Crashes
Listed below are the top five causes of teenage motor vehicle accidents:
- Excessive speed
- Running off the road
- Driving in the wrong lane
- Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication
- Reckless driving
Time of Day
As new drivers, teens are only beginning to establish the necessary reflexes and the skills needed to safely operate a vehicle. There is no time in the day when these abilities are more crucial than driving in the night. 42% of teenage motor vehicle crash deaths in 2003 occurred between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Days of the Week/Months of the Year
In 2003, 54% of teenage motor vehicle deaths occurred on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, with Saturday being the highest. June, July, and August proved to have the most teenage car casualties. July 4th and January 1st have consistently had high teen accident death rates each year.
Passengers
The risk of a motor vehicle accident increases even more when a teen driver has other teen passengers in the car. These types of passengers can be distracting to the driver, taking their attention off the road. Teen drivers should gain experience and a reliable driving history before they begin to take on friends as passengers. 5 % of teenage passenger deaths occur when the vehicle is being operated by another teen. Additionally, in almost half of all teen car accidents, there was at least one teen passenger in the vehicle.
Teen Driving Statistics and Resources
Important Resources
CDC Teen Driver Fact Sheet
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/teenmvh.htm
Teen Tracking Resources
http://www.brickhouse-childsafety.com/teen-tracking.html
