Teen drivers, especially inexperienced 16-year-olds, have especially high crash rates in their first months of licensure. Crashes are the leading cause of death among American teens aged 16-19, accounting for nearly a third of all deaths. During their initial period of licensure, teens face a high risk of crashing due to their inexperience and immaturity as drivers. Several groups are working to address this issue through initiatives that promote safe driving practices for teen drivers and their parents. Suggested approaches include supervised practice driving, restricting teen passengers and nighttime driving, and serving as a positive role model.
2. Why is this topic a problem, especially
for teen drivers?
Inexperienced 16 year-olds have especially high crash
rates per 10,000 drivers in their first months of licensure
Crashes are the leading cause of death among American
teens, accounting for nearly a third of all deaths of 16-19
year-olds.
During their first months of licensure, teens have a
particularly high risk of crashing. One reason is
inexperience. Another is immaturity.
3. Teen Driving Statistics
Inexperienced 16 year-olds have especially high crash rates per
10,000 drivers in their first months of licensure
16-17-year-old drivers have higher death risk per mile traveled when
passengers ride along
https://www.allstatefoundation.org/pdf/2014_teen-driver-brochure-eng-v1.5.pdf
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 15- to
20-year olds, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
1,678 drivers age 16 to 20 died in motor vehicle crashes in 2014,
compared with 1,651 drivers in this age group in 2013, according to
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
http://www.iii.org/issue-update/teen-drivers
4. Groups are currently working to solve this problem
AAA
AAA has worked for more than 75 years to help families develop their
teens into safe, responsible drivers.
http://exchange.aaa.com/safety/teen-driver-safety/#.WBNa-_krLIUvers
HEARTS NETWORK
Through the HEARTS Network, the National Safety Council is sharing the
stories behind the statistics to raise awareness, change behaviors and make
our roads safer.
http://teensafedriving.org/hearts-network
CDC's Injury Center is committed to preventing teen crashes and related deaths
and injuries.
http://www.cdc.gov/features/teendrivers/
5. Ideas for Reducing Teen Crashes
• Supervise practice driving. Take an active role in
helping your teen learn to drive.
• Restrict passengers. Teenage passengers riding in a
vehicle with a beginning driver can distract the driver and
encourage greater risk-taking.
• Restrict night driving. About 2 of 5 young drivers’ fatal
crashes occur between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m
• Be a role model. New drivers learn a lot by example, so
practice safe driving yourself.
